THE Loddon Players played host to an entertaining evening in Sherfield On-Loddon Village Hall as they staged the hilarious Confusions, a series of five short one act plays by Alan Ayckbourn.

The evening began with A Talk in the Park, where five characters hopped between several benches explaining their woes, much to the chagrin of the other characters.

Concerns over a neighbour’s welfare led to role reversal in Mother Figure, whilst in Drinking Companion, an increasingly sloshed businessman futilely attempted to chat up younger women in a hotel bar.

Domestic disputes over dinner led to much hilarity in Between Mouthfuls and rounding off the evening was Gosforth’s Fete, in which a sequence of misfortunes struck a village fair, a play which struck a chord with the audience.

Acting was superb throughout as many assumed several roles with aplomb, especially Pete Cook’s drunk businessman and scorned scout leader, and Peter Francis as a lecherous husband and hopeless fete organiser.

Carolyn Miles, Joy Newman and Nick Robinson gelled well in Mother Figure, while Emily Browne’s perfect timing as a waitress in Between Mouthfuls contributed to the success of the piece.

Frances Lewis’s judgemental elderly woman in A Talk in the Park caused much laughter, whilst in the final play, Maggie Browne’s complicated love life and Mark Adams as the sappy vicar were well received.

The appearance of a drenched Chris Horton as Councillor Mrs Pearce elicited hearty laughter.

The enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by the diverse sets, so credit must go to the backstage hands for aptly and quickly changing the different backdrops.

The largest slice of the credit, though, must go to director and producer Jo Long, whose vision of Ayckbourn’s work was clearly realised by her cast and crew.

This was a commendable production savoured by the audience.

Phillip Horton