KATS' little black comedy gem

Kennet Amateur Theatrical Society: Caramba's Revenge, at Bucklebury Memorial Hall, from Thursday, August 7 to Saturday, August 9

Caramba's Revenge by William Norfolk is a black comedy about four retired ladies who have formed a co-operative, sharing their lives in Violet's rented house, pooling their pensions and sharing the chores. That is, until Violet dies after a mugging.

Needing to hold on to her pension and rent hooks, Marge (the Mary Berry of the trio, played with flare by Eileen Paula), Lottie (the 'head girl' and aspiring crime writer masterfully portrayed by Mandy Cole) and Doris (with a slight drink problem which Alison Brownfield very cleverly captured) omit to tell the authorities and leave Violet's body peacefully in a cemetery.

Life goes on happily until the arrival of Violet's granddaughter Ronnie, from Australia, the police in the person of Inspector Grubb, and another housemate, Rose (complete with a parrot)...

Claire Bowden, as Ronnie, gave us a wicked Aussie accent and adding youthful innuendo to the proceedings, meanwhile wrapping Craig Robinson (Inspector Grubb) round her little finger.

Of course the story doesn't end there and Rose (Caroline Cole) and Grace (Cindy Bunce) provide the inevitable 'surprise' denouement.

Kats brought this little gem of a play, directed by Janet Kilgallon-Brook, to Bucklebury Memorial Hall. The strong cast had clearly put a great deal of thought (and laughter) into the production and given their audience a lively evening's entertainment.

JANE SCHOLL