Paul Doust’s stage adaptation of Stella Gibbons’ 1932 parody of the rural novel takes a little getting used to for those familiar with the original, but the Southwick Players romp through this heavily-populated production with considerable skill.

The whole play is carried, as it should be, by a stellar performance from Billie Trubridge as Flora Poste, the aspirational urbanite who descends upon her rural cousins and their highly dysfunctional extended family.

She wafts her way through an enchanting and well thought-out set, delivering vast monologues and asides with great aplomb, every bit the 1930’s society girl – no mean feat for a first-time lead role. There’s certainly more to come from this young actress.

The play and the comedy really comes alive though during the performances of two of the more thickly-caricatured members of the huge cast – Ron Common as the ancient cow-loving farmhand Adam Lambsbreath; and Hilary ‘H’ Reeves as the evangelical lay-preacher Amos Starkadder, who lopes about the set like a lunatic praying mantis dispensing fear and salvation in equal measure. This part calls for an over-the-top performance, and we’re not disappointed.

A combination of having to squeeze a quart into a two-hour pint pot and first night nerves meant that some of the deliveries were a little hurried at times, but this able cast will clearly settle down into it in no time. It helps if you’ve read the book, but if not you’re still in for a thoroughly enjoyable night out, and you’ll get used to the idiosyncratic sound effects after the first five minutes.

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Neil Fletcher