Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   All Things Bright and Beautiful by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall Directed by Alan Rodman 21-28 March 1981 (7 performances) The Hesseltines are living in property well overdue for demolition and are looking forward to being rehoused in more beautiful and salubrious surroundings. The crisis comes when they find that, far from a house with a little bit of garden, they are to live in an imposing block of flats... Cast Deanna Hesseltine Sue Neville Desmond Cooper Ross Holland Charles Hesseltine David Hampton Baloo Margaret Jackson Queenie Hesseltine Penny Holland Albert Hesseltine Bob Lacey Old Jakie John Midlane Douglas Desmond Colin Townsley Harry Hesseltine Paul Jennings Crew Stage Manager Pearl Ayling Assistant Stage Manager Chris Milkins Set Designers Alan Rodman, Bob Lacey, Mick Fitzgerald Costumes, Properties & Backstage Audrey Rhodes Lighting  Alan Dawson, Gary Lacey Sound Bill Ayling, Gary Lacey   Review Hilarious comedy in slum Pure entertainment — situation comedy mingled with the tragedy of modern day red-tape — was an attraction to audiences watching the Edward Alderton Theatre's production of All Things Bright and Beautiful by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall which closed last Saturday. With impeccable accents the nine-strong cast romped through an exuberant comedy set in a northern city slum complete with outside 'lavvy'. Set in the shabby kitchen of a condemned home filled with stolen goods, the action revolved round a family faced with the dilemma of hiding the lectern of a local church, stolen and dumped by their youngest son. Congratulations must go to Penny Holland for her hilarious performance as the downtrodden Queenie Hesseltine who spends her time fantasizing about the new council house they have been promised and screaming abuse at her light-fingered family.  Other members of the family were well-matched by director Alan Rodman. Bob Lacey was the father, Albert, torn between fear of a prison sentence and attraction for the huge wooden eagle-shaped lectern, son Harry (Paul Jennings) had found and taken home. David Hampton was suitably bad-tempered as gambling son Charles who spent his time shuffling from one chair to another. Sue Neville was convincing as daughter Deanna, the fag-end of any frayed tempers giving support to comparative newcomer to the group Ross Holland who played her red-blooded boy friend Desmond Cooper.  Margaret Jackson portrayed narrow-minded scout leader Baloo with ease while John Midlane as neighbour Old Jakie, who  popped in and out to use the family's outside toilet, and Colin Townsley as Douglas Desmond, the callous housing official, supported well. Effective lighting gave depth to an impressive set designed by Alan Rodman, Bob Lacey and Mick Fitzgerald. A small army of backstage helpers assured a smooth-running production played to capacity audiences. MO'N [sic] Bexley Times | 5 April 1981