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Diana of Dobson’s, Bournemouth Little Theatre Club, Jameson Road, Winton

BLTC’s first ever production, 90 years ago this month, was this play – and having seen how absolutely charming it is, and how its sentiments are still relevant today, I am amazed that it has not been revived before now.

Set in Edwardian times, initially in a drapery emporium, followed by Switzerland and subsequently the Thames Embankment, it has a faintly feminist feel and focuses on the fact that we are so often judged by what others perceive us to be.

Director Eileen Rawlings has caught its mood perfectly, and that is complemented by a quite superb set and an extremely good cast. Cathy Murray, in the title role, is barely off the stage yet gives a faultless performance in every way, and she is well matched by Adam Donoghue as the brainless, bumbling Victor Bretherton. There are superb characterisations too from Louise Thomas (Mrs Cantelupe) and Mike Griffiths (Sir Jabez Grintlay), and Tommy Egerton is delightful in the small role of an old woman.

I wonder if Dorothy Rowe and George Stone realised that the club they had just founded would still be going strong 90 years later, or that its productions would be like this one, to my mind surely among the best that amateur theatre can produce. A triumph.

Linda Kirkman

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