A fine production of Jumpy, April De Angelis's perceptive play, directed by Alec Smith and Rosemary Crayford, was another notable achievement for The Clarendon Players (March 16-18) at Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall.

Convincing performances by the cast of nine, and the technical excellence of superbly projected sets, won well-deserved acclaim at the first night on Thursday.

Jumpy is a powerful portrayal of relationships between husbands and wives, parents and teenagers, and their friends. Comedy is complemented by conflict and fears.

Andrea Lanham was wonderful as Tilly, the stroppy 15-year-old daughter of Mark (Neil Edwards) and his wife Hilary, a former political activist. Mark is very laid-back, while Hilary drinks too much, craves escape from a mid-life crisis, and is buoyed up by a lively single friend Frances (Denise Humphries) whose burlesque act is a sight to behold!

Karen Smith, as Hilary, on stage throughout the play, epitomises frustration, anxiety and dissatisfaction with life in which she feels unappreciated and under-valued.

Becci Smith gave a philosophical portrayal of Lyndsey, a teenage single parent whose child's father was killed. Alistair Aitken and Wendy Mitchell were Roland and Bea, parents of Tilly's boyfiriend Josh (played by Josh Johnston). Neil Strange was Cam, a caring young man with wide aspirations.

Technical direction was by Paula Clifford, and costume by Denise Edwards. The play, with adult language and fine sound effects by Jeremy Goode, must rate as one of this long- established company's best.

Stella Taylor