Summer sand, sea, sun and laughter

A comedy in the true sense of the world, this extremely well-crafted ensemble piece came from the pen of Bob Larbey who famously co-wrote The Good Life for television.

He also had huge success with his scripts for A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By.

The action centred round three beach huts owned by the Pattersons, the Billetts and the 'never to be seen' Woodersons, the latter family having been absent from the south coast seaside resort for a few seasons.

William and Margaret Patterson are a quiet, respectable, middle-class retired professional couple, while Stan and Bernice Billet are younger and certainly not quiet!

They are accompanied on their holiday by Stan's mother, played by Di Dowle and Bernice's sister Pauline, played by Catherine Batten.

The two families are very distressed to learn that the Woodersons have rented their hut to the nouveau riche and very loud Doug who is accompanied by his teenage nubile nieces. After discovering that Doug owns a chain of fish and chip shops he is instantly accepted by the 'hutters'.

The 'hutters' try very hard to deter the hoi polloi from encroaching upon the beach in front of their huts although they have no legal right to do so. As the play progresses a trio of determined women decide to assert territorial rights over the space immediately in front of the huts and confrontation is inevitable.

Mary Anne Rimer, Taz Moores and Moira Lucas played these cameo roles with conviction. Chris Lambert and Debra Bates must be congratulated upon their wonderful portrayals as William and Margaret, the former convincing the audience that there was life in the old dog yet, while the latter held everyone else together with her charm and sensible approach to every difficulty.

Leigh Conley gave a superb performance as the insecure, neurotic control-freak Stan and he was supported by Sali Douglas-Watson who took the part of Bernice, his over-dressed and slightly tarty wife.

Keith Readings was very convincing as the laid-back, pragmatic Doug and Natalie Gale (new to the Players) and Alyssa West were charming and decorative as his teenage nieces.

Nick Baker and Pat Anderson played cameo parts as two other stray 'beach' people.

Nick Baker must be applauded for his excellent direction of the piece and all those in the three audiences enjoyed a professional, entertaining and hilarious evening.

Well done Chideock Players.