TRUE love certainly didn't run smoothly in Riverside Drama Company's tenth anniversary production Comic Potential.

And when a human and a robot fall for each other, the situations that evolve make for a play that is both thought-provoking and very amusing.

Alan Ayckbourn's caustic comedy brought together a cast of 18 performers, the highest number for a riverside production, and everyone involved, played an integral part.

Set in the future in a TV studio, a once famous director is trying to re-kindle past glories as he attempts to motivate a cast of actoids, robots programmed to act, in a daytime soap opera. 

Pat Tuffin in fine form as the burned out director Chandler Tate comes under pressure from studio assistants Trudi Floote and Prim Spring, played by Jo East and Pam Chamberlain, but it's the sanctimonious regional director Janet Bradbery as Carla Pepperbloom who sets the hackles rising. 

Proving her worth as a soap opera star is the robotic Jacie Triplethree who is a quick learner and more than your average actoid. 

When the idealistic Adam, nephew of the millionaire station owner, makes an appearance, seeking to write and produce a comedy of the quality that Chaplin and Keaton once embodied, he at once is attracted to Jacie. She responds to his every instruction, growing more like a human by the minute, and in one hilarious scene, Carla, who is by now pulling the strings in the studio, is soon brought down to earth by a well-directed custard pie from Jacie which hits the mark.

John Lomas taking on his first principal role for Riverside turned in an exceptional performance as Adam, who finds Jacie hard to resist, the two running off together, the consequences of which soon come home to roost. 

Liz O'Hara is outstanding as Jacie who, in a twist in the tale, takes on the mantle of regional director for the soap opera, soon becoming a tartar, making her predecessor, Carla, look like an angel by comparison. Directed by Martin Holtom, who also took on the part of Marmion, Comic Potential again confirmed Riverside's reputation as a group which is not afraid to take on challenging productions. 

Making their presence felt in supporting roles were Keith Coxon as the wheelchair-bound meglomaniac TV company owner Lester Trainsmith, Rob Osmond who played the doctor/farmer, Liz Turner, mother/farmer's wife, Bob Baron, man in the shop and turkey the pimp, Paul Norris, the son and a hotel waiter, Emjay Sadler, hotel receptionist, Holly Wilcockson, hotel waiter, Moya Magee (technician), Pat Clarke (dress shop assistant), Rachel Meller (girl in dress shop), and Donna Chinn (prostitute). 

Lending her expertise as assistant director was Maggie Millington, while Amy Holden (stage manager), Tom Millington (lighting), Paul Norris (sound), Kimberley Lomas (choreography), Pam Chamberlain (set painter), Moya Magee and Paul Emery (stage crew), contributed to the play's success. 

Riverside turned up trumps in this very appealing production which delighted audiences attending performances at Long Eaton's Duchess Theatre. 

With a full complement of players on view Comic Potential showed that the Beeston-based drama group has come a long way since its inception in 1992 and holds a strong hand on the amateur stage.