... A spiring drama SONNING Charley's Aunt THE ANCIENT spires ot academic Oxford set against an imprinted frieze of the city initially create a far stronger impression of the aristocratic atmosphere in this Mill at Sonning production than the entrances of its two main characters and this saving grace by designer John Elvery allows us to temporarily find some solace until the momen tum of the ...

... The Bevellers EDINBURGH THE LYCEUM seems to be attached to the seventies this season. After the success of The Comedians, the company has now revived another play in which flapping flares and mohair coats are de rigueur. The Bevellers is the story of a run- of-the-mill working day in a bevelling factory. An explanation of the craft is slipped in incongruously as there is a new boy on his first ...

... Talk about it WATFORD The Picture Of Dorian Gray THERE is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about-says Oscar Wilde in The Picture of Dorian Gray. The Palace production of the play deserves and will be talked about. For an evening of satisfying theatre look no further than Watford's Clarendon Road. Wilde's way with words demands complete ...

... Therese Raquin LEICESTER In his time limile Zola was branded a pornographer for his explicit coverage of matters considered to be taboo. Certainly his books were powerful pieces ahead of their time. None more so than Therese Raquin, a tale of lust, adultery, murder and an overwhelming sense of guilt. Yes there was plenty there for director Julia Bardsley to work on in her adaptation of the ...

... Twisting the knife FARNHAM Ding Dong Dead JUST when you think you have seen every twist and turn of the thriller world along comes another who-dun-it to prove you wrong. Such an one is Ding Dong Dead by Robert Thomas, adapted by Mawby Green and Ed Fielbert. The set by Janey Gardiner is the liv ing room of a lonely house in the Chevreusc Valley in France. The empty room is in darkness until a ...

... We've been tricked HUGH HOMAN discovers Christie's play is more misery than mystery WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA Witness For The Prosecution WITNESS for the Prosecution is better than most of the other Christie dross. The first act is quite tightly and economically written, sketching in the characters very neatly. Act two is set in the Old Bailey and the courtroom virtually sets its own dramatic pace. ...

... The Shadow Of A Gunman LEICESTER SHORT, sharp and superbly performed. That's the Leicester Haymarket Studio production of The Shadow Of A Gunman. Yes it is drawn on the Ireland, and particularly Dublin, of the 1920s but Sean O'Casey's work goes beyond that and this play is as much about individ uals, human strengths and weaknesses as the troubled rimes. It had a striking effect when it was ...

... One Over The Eight SCARBOROLIGH THE PHYSICAL hard work the actors put into Peter Robert Scott's new play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre In The Round as they train for a big boat rowing challenge must be almost unsurpassed on the British stage. From the start they demonstrate their skills as athletes as well as actors. Most of the cast had never rowed before but show considerable proficiency in ...

... SNAPS The 1996 Rose Bruford Memorial Trust Director's Award has been given to Nigel E Higginson from Manchester. He will work at the city's Royal Exchange, Northern Broadsides and Sheffield Crucible. Britain's only indepen dent design course will be holding its end of year exhibition at The Royal National Theatre studio next week. The Motley Theatre Design show will include scale models of ...