Given the lack of tiered seating the idea of placing mats at the front to afford the smaller people a better view worked well, despite a steady stream of little people backwards and forwards to check in with parents sitting further back.

Martha (Pauline Lynch) is a cantankerous hermit living in a ramshackle house on the shore. "Private property" and "Keep Away!" signs are deployed in case anyone doesn't get the message. Rebuffing the good-natured approaches of the postie (David Rennie-Fitzgerald) and fiercely guarding her privacy, Martha cuts a determined if slightly lonely character.

Until, that is, the arrival of an equally determined goose (Rennie-Fitzgerald) doubling up in this sparse two-person production. Martha starts to melt - very gradually - as the goose begins to grow on her. The unlikely friendship is to change her life for good...

Lynch has been in everything from Trainspotting to Holby City while Rennie-Fitzgerald has appeared in several Shakespearean productions. Martha was used to launch children's theatre specialist Catherine Wheels and judging by the response to this, it's set to roll on for a few years yet.

* Martha continues at Eden Court on Monday and Tuesday this week. Call 01463 234234 for details.

editor@rsjournal.co.uk

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