RIVERSIDE Drama Company certainly pulled out all the stops with their latest production, 'Safari Party' by Tim Firth. This took place last week at The Devonshire Studio, Chatsworth Centre.

'The Hors d'Oeuvres' (opening scene) was in brothers Daniel and Adam's kitchen, and they weren't at all prepared for this safari party, for one thing, Daniel, had been to a car boot sale, took the table, on which to display the goods. A customer fell in love with it, and bought it for £60! Hence, Adam was crossly trying to assemble a flat pack. "Should be able to do it,' he yelled, "It's only got 58 screws." Needless to say, he gave up when the first guests arrived. Daniel, and Adam were played superbly by John Lomas and Paul Norris.

Lol, Esther, and their daughter Bridget, along with their neighbour Inga, arrived. Lol strode in yelling his first expletive with Esther trying to shut him up, she was limping badly, not because she'd hurt herself, the heel of her shoe had come off. She was dressed to kill, forgetting they were coming to a hundred acre farm. Bridget didn't want to be there at all, and sulked all the time.

Again, most excellent performances by all, Martin Holtom as Lol, Liz Turner as his genteel wife Esther, and Charlotte Lloyd as Bridget. Lastly, Inga, who took offence if anyone made snide remarks about Germany, (she'd German ancestors) played by Janet Lomas. Lol delighted making remarks, using as many expletives as he could!

The entrees were in Lol and Esther's conservatory. They'd got a table! But what a table! Apparently they'd only paid &60 for it, but it was worth thou- sands. Yes, it was the brothers' table!

"This table,' announced Lol, "is a putty ball table, you play this game with a small ball which is putted into one of the holes, using a sawn-off golf club."

Adam and Daniel realising the table is theirs, and the three holes, are bullet holes where their father shot himself...

Home-made red wine was served from a white jug. Adam said it was the same jug used to catch the blood, he proved it by seeing the special trade-mark on it! On hearing this, Esther sent the jug and contents flying. Daniel fainted!

They all went manfully on to lnga's outhouse for dessert. She had three tables! Everyone started arguing about the putty ball table. Finally Lol confessed, he'd made the whole thing up for a joke!!

A chaotic ending to an extremely clever and hilarious play. A play, which at times must have been a little difficult, so many swear words, sworn so naturally, Riverside actors avert like that. But then, that's darn good acting for you.

Excellent direction by Sylvia Holmes. A great evening's entertainment.

By June Barker