Edward Alderton Theatre Home | News | This Season | Next Season | Bookings | Auditions | Members | Archive | History | Location | Links | Contact Us   The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Neil Simon Directed by Bob Lacey October 1983 (7 performances) The story of Mel and Edna, a middle-class, middle-aged couple living in a Manhattan high rise apartment building. Mel loses his job, the apartment is robbed, Edna gets a job, Mel loses his mind, Edna loses her job...to say nothing of the more minor tribulations of nosy neighbors, helpful relatives, and exact bus fares. The couple suffers indignity after indignity (some self-inflicted), and when they seem on the verge of surrender, they thumb their noses defiantly and dig the trenches for battle... Cast Mel Edison George Robinson Edna Edison Maureen Hardwen Harry Edison John Midlane Pearl Brenda Winn Jessie  Cathy Clark Pauline Jean Midlane Crew Stage Manager Pearl Ayling Assistant Stage Managers Edna Phillips, Sylvia Graves, Chris Milkins Set Design Bob Lacey Set Construction Bob Lacey, Gary Lacey, Bill Ayling Lighting  Lianne Glanville, Gary Lacey Sound Gary Lacey Review Anguish draws rueful mirth The anguish of living in a city apartment in America drew rueful laughter from the audience at the Edward Alderton Theatre, Bexleyheath, last week. George Robinson played the hysterical, harassed Mel Edison in Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue. Flying from despair to rage, he gave a skilful picture of the frustration and paranoia of a man on his way to a breakdown. After fuming away at the pressures of modern living, George Robinson delighted the audience with his switch to the milder Mel under sedation. Maureen Hardwen as his long-suffering wife, Edna, sustained an excellent American accent and dealt slickly with her rapid changes of mood. Brenda Winn as the hardnosed Pearl, Cathy Clark as the sentimental Jessie and Jean Midlane as the self-satisfied Pauline - Mel's three sisters - gave an amusing range of characterization. The production was adeptly directed by Bob Lacey. H T Kentish Times I 21 October 1982