Heyday

THE STAGE
--Peter Hepple

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In the space of 90 minutes or so, Herbert Appleman crams in no less than 15 songs, so it will be guessed that there is not much detailed examination of Alva's dilemma -- whether to choose dull doctor Walter, flippant and funny Frank, a tennis instructor with an ambition to become a comedian, or dashing, romantic freethinker Gordon. She actually settles for the middle-aged (28!) Merle, because (a) he truly loves her, and (b) as a successful lawyer he can keep her in the way her parents believes she deserves.

But as it happens, those 15 songs, integrated closely with the plot, are this little show's strength, for Herbert Appleman proves to have an exceptionally neat way with a lyric, in the tradition of Lorenz Hart and Ira Gershwin, with deft rhyming schemes and smart construction.

Moreover, on this tiny stage, director Nica Burns, choreographer Lindsay Dolan and designer David Blight have contrived the liveliest of stagings, without overemphasising the silliness. Janet Dibley is an enchanting heroine who can actually make one sympathise with her delicious problem, and there is chacterfull support from Tony Scannell and Jennie Linden (parents), Philip Bird, Alan Coveney, Richard Freeman and John Hudson (suitors) and Ray Sharples (hotel page).