This was a very well presented play with well rehearsed, and well cast characters Characterisations had been well brought out and all complemented by an excellent set of scenery. The first act was, on occasions, a little slow, but it certainly picked up in the second act when it went at a 'cracking' pace. This comedy is as close to a farce as you are likely to get, the only thing that was missing was people rushing in and out of doors and dropping their trousers! Therefore the script has to be delivered with pace with words bouncing off the characters at all times and this is what, I think, was missing in the first act. Of course, this is being hyper-critical as I am sure the audience didn't notice this and I can say that this performance had me laughing from beginning to the end, along with a good house on the Thursday night.

Gordon Bird - (TOM WEALS) - One can always rely on Gordon to turn in a good performance, and this was no exception. His comedy timing was spot-on with excellent diction and projection. Movement could not be faulted and the business with the wig was hilarious. Congratulations on a fine performance.

Jane Hardcastle - (ALICE MARTIN) - As the fiancee of Tom', Jane got just the right character as 'Alice Martin'. Her cues were well picked up and lines well pointed with good expressions. Diction was good so that you could hear every word. These two made as good a comedy pairing as you are likely to see - Well Done.

Pete Ashton - (BARNEY WEALS) - Pete is always good at comedy, and this was no exception, playing the part of the n'er-do-well brother of Tom'. His machinations over the money were a joy to watch with a good delivery of lines and excellent facial expressions - A good portrayal.

Hannah Walker - (MURIEL) - Hannah has now become a very good actress and in particular she has mastered the art of comedy with a good sense of timing, no easy task. Her movements and facial expressions were good and her voice projection carried to the back of the auditorium. One small point, try and slow down your word delivery, sound takes time to travel and at your normal rate of speech, by the time it reached the back seats some of the words are lost, this comes with practise. Apart from this small point - Well Done.

Jenny Lapthorne - (AUNTIE) - If you ever want someone to play a part 'over the top', look no further than Jenny, she was superb as the 'Auntie'. This is a performer who knows how to deliver a line with all the right inflections and comedy timing, all coupled with wonderful facial expressions. Diction was spot-on so that every word could be heard and her movements, including the drunken ones, could not be faulted - Congratulations on a superlative performance.

Nigel Dawes - (FRANKIE) - Nigel always manages to immerse himself completely in any part he plays, and this was no exception, although it was out of the usual character he normally plays he was excellent as the 'Heavy'. His voice characterisation was well maintained, coupled with excellent facial expressions. His movement about the stage area is confident and totally relaxed - A great characterisation.

Ron Greer - (INSPECTOR HENDY) - As of necessity, this type of play always has a Police Officer of some description or other who generally makes an appearance at the end of the play, in this instance it was a Police Inspector. So often you see these parts thrown away as it is such a minor role, but not on this occasion as Ron made him an excellent character, who had impact - Well Done.

Rosemarie Dawes - (DIRECTOR) assisted by Kirsty How • Rosemarie with the assistance of Kirsty, had gathered together a fine group of actors who interpreted their parts exactly as the author intended. Characterisations had been finely honed and much attention had been given to the script bringing out all the humour in abundance, in fact I don't think I have laughed so much at a performance for a long time. Staging had been well contrived with good movement about the stage area so that the stage did not appear cramped at any time. Entrances and exits were spot-on with a well balanced stage at all times - Congratulations on a fine show - You must be proud of them.

Stage Manager - Although there were no scene changes, this appeared a well managed stage with well positioned scenery and props.

Set Design, Construction and Decor - The Shinfield technicians had come up with another excellent set. It had been well designed and constructed, looking solid and authentic Decor was first-class and depicted well a flat of the period - Well Done.

Lighting and Sound - This was a good lighting plot with good positioning of lamps and the right coloured 'Gell's' being used which created just the right atmosphere in Tom Weals' flat. Cues on the night of my visit were well picked up. Sound was of a good quality, I sat at the back of the auditorium and could hear every word.

Properties - All properties used looked authentic, particularly the suitcases containing the money.

Wardrobe - Costumes had been well researched and fitted not only the characters, but the action of the play. They fitted well and the cast looked comfortable in them.

Make-up - Overall the make-up was very good. It had been well applied with the right coloured bases and highlights being used and stood up well under the stage lighting.

Programme - Was of the right size and contained all the necessary information. It had been well laid out with good reproduction of cast photographs, all contained in an eye-catching, colourful cover. My only comment is that perhaps a short synopsis of the play could have been included.

Front of House - Front of House Staff were easiliy identifiable and welcoming to their audience.

Thank you for your invitation to review "Laugh, I Nearly Went To Miami". This was one of the funniest comedies I have seen in a long time and congratulations to all concerned.