FRANCES HART Sylvia Syms devised a programme of readings and music exploring the complex and changing mother/daughter relationship.

FRANCES HART

For Mothers and Daughters at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre, Sylvia Syms devised a programme of readings and music exploring the complex and changing mother/daughter relationship.

With the delectable Jenny Seagrove, she brought to life daughters rebellious, tomboyish, withdrawn, unconventional, protective or inhibited and mothers bewildered, adoring, critical, exhibitionist or uncertain.

In the readings I met old friends like writers Elizabeth von Arnim and Wendy Cope and there were extracts from Hotel du Lac and The Unbearable Lightness of Being.

The entertaining, touching and moving programme included the guitar of Simon James. His performance illustrated the theme with music loving and delicate, sometimes stormy.

We were left with an impression of tenderness sought but seldom achieved, a fitting summary of the evening.