It’s quite amazing what you can achieve with some polystyrene rocks, a few saplings courtesy of the Forestry Commission, plenty of water and some recorded birdsong.

Designer Mark Walters, aided and abetted by Paul Stone’s lighting, have come up with a believable island for Neville and his companions to subdue.

The laughter starts immediately with the arrival with difficulty through said water of reluctant Outward Bound weekend management participants in Matt Devitt’s well observed production of Tim Firth’s strongly-written early comedy.

The cast deserve medals for acting under trying circumstances - at least with Beckett provides a comfy dry hill or dustbin to sit in.

Neil Boorman’s aging Neville is the shouty know-it-all leader of the team who thinks improvised cricket or rugby will pass the time.

As Gordon Paul Leonard’s droll face is very welcome back at the Queen’s playing a gloomy Eeyore, who senses a “sinking rat” at 200 paces. His character observes “we are four managers, managing each other”.

Richard Brightiff’s bushy tailed Angus brings along sparklers because he thinks they will be fun, placing faith in his early adopter mobile phone and every conceivable piece of kit. While Simon Jessup’s birdwatching optimist Roy has more born-again belief in his maker’s capacity to provide for them.

The play bobs along at a good pace as things rapidly deteriorate around the innocent, and character weaknesses are revealed in all their irritating, vicious or horrible glory. Comedy lines or sights surface constantly even in the blackest, bleakest moments.

Mary Redman

The Stage - 7th February 2007

2002 - 2007 http://www.return-to-the-forbidden-planet.co.uk