There's a Girl in my Soup, Palace Theatre, Manchester. Runs until Saturday. THE three principals of Ian Dickens's production of Terence Frisby's comedy have faces that are familiar to television viewers. Anyone who attended the Palace first night simply out of curiosity must have left with considerable respect for the stage presence of this adaptable threesome. Deborah McAndrew, formerly Angie ofZCoronation Street,Zhas proved herself in a variety of roles since she left the street, and her performance as Marion, the girl in the soup, was better even than her portrayal of Little Voice at the Octagon.

You may recall Goldie Hawn in the role in the film version. McAndrew's approach was original, and she played Marion with abrasive wit as a Scouse.

Tony Scannell, formerly Ted Roach fromZThe Bill,Zplayed Robert Danvers, Marion's middle-aged lover, with a light touch and a good line in ad libs when one of the doors on an otherwise excellent set would not stay closed.

Jack Smethurst, as Andrew Hunter, showed that he can be just as good in a up-market role as he has been in his working class comedies.

As with Scannell, Smethurst's comedy timing was impeccable.

Phil Rose, as John, the portly porter at Danvers's flat, was often called upon and one looked forward to his entrances.

David Callister, as Marion's temporarily jilted boyfriend, Jimmy, was, to a great extent, responsible for the fact that the audience seemed to warm to the comedy after the interval. The former model Debee Ashby, played Paola, the Swedish au pair, her first stage role, as the inevitable dizzy blonde of West End farce and managed an acceptable Scandinavian accent in a cameo role.

But Claire Robinson seemed ill at ease as the upper class Claire Dorlaton.

There's a Girl in my SoupZhas more well-delivered wit than you might imagine and makes a welcome change from the multitude of musicals that have been visiting the Palace. By DOREEN CROWTHER

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