The first in this contrasting trio of Noel Coward playlets was the only one to benefit fully from the ‘Coward voice’ – the other two being, surprisingly, focused on contrasting layers of 1930s society.

In Ways and Means, Kirsty Besterman (Stella) and Gyuri Sarossy (Toby) are two house-guests bickering volubly about their debts as they lay in the bed of a wealthy chum. The performances are deftly transformed into something almost touching by Kirsty and Gyuri, as they fall out, then fall in love again among the crumpled sheets.

Fumed Oak is a sharp departure. In a suburban home, erstwhile obedient husband and shopworker Henry (Peter Singh) suddenly vents his fury at Doris, his, “mean, cold and respectable,” wife of 14 years, played chillingly and deftly by Olivia Poulet. Singh’s delivery of Coward’s lovely, linear speech and keen humour is spellbinding.

Last up is Still Life – a fascinating study of desperation in a station tea-room that formed the basis of the film Brief Encounter. Although the focus is on middle class lovers Laura and Alec (Shereen Martin and Gyuri Sarossy), the excellent supporting players manage to portray Coward’s theme - the conflict between happiness and status - without detracting from the tragic central story.