LODDON Players’ production of The Opposite Sex was held in front of an appreciative audience in the village.

The play features just four characters – Mark, Vicky, Eric and Judith – two married couples in the 1980s who, at some point, have slept with the other’s spouse.

When Judith, the Avon Lady, visits Vicky, a seemingly tipsy Mark invites her and her husband Eric to dinner the following night. Cue chaos and a very obvious breakdown in both marriages.

Mark and Vicky argue relentlessly, as do Eric and Judith. Eric is the stereotypical environmentalist – vegetarian, shabby and bearded who spends the evening drinking and taking offence to Mark’s ‘yuppie’ life.

Eric and Mark frequently exchange insults as they argue over their differences, of which there are many, and eventually end up in a fight. Eventually, all is revealed but a happy ending is in store as both couples realise their faults and emerge from the fraught evening stronger.

Every cast member put in a stellar performance, including Jo Long as marriage councillor Vicky, arguing with husband Mick about his work.

Peter Francis, an LP stalwart, played the 1980s yuppie to perfection, contrasting sublimely with LP debutant Raith Munro as the angry Eric, frustrated with his devoid-of-brain-cells wife Judith, Denise Hobbs, who stole the show with the best lines.

Under the expert direction of Matt Stanley, and Nick Robinson’s work on the 1980s set, Loddon Players once again brought entertainment to a small Hampshire village.

Phillip Horton