Gentlemen Incorporated**

Year after year the Melville Theatre have produced first class shows and I wondered when their luck was going to run out, and with this production I felt it did.

I have never given a really poor review before, trying always to concentrate on the better aspects of productions. The better aspects of this one? The set as always was outstanding, and the sound and lighting very good. The warmth of the welcome and the general ambience of this much improved venue - superb .... but ...

The play was a 'comedy' with a very good and original story line, but required a great deal more work on the one-liners to keep the laughs coming. The direction was weak, but I must give allowance for the fact that directors changed half way through the rehearsals.

The cast of five consisted of two actors who, despite this being the last show of the run, still didn't know their lines, made numerous fluffs and generally dragged down the three other actors who were quite admirable.

The body movement of the weaker couple was almost totally missing and the voice intonation monotonous.

The feed back in the lounge at the interval was very positive, so perhaps I wasn't tuned in - or were they at a different show?

Sorry, I wish I had gone to the Old Mill instead.