Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, St Peter's Methodist Church AODS.

Runs until Saturday. THE idea that the English aristocracy behave idiotically under pressure is always good for a laugh.

In Terry Bowden's production of this Constance Cox play based on a short story by Oscar Wilde, a well-cast company made the most of just such a situation.

Robin Thompson in the name role played the upper-class twit to perfection.

He proves incapable of committing the murder the plot requires despite the assistance of his low-born, but more intelligent accomplice, Baines the butler, wittily portrayed by George Lowe.

Sybil Merton, Arthur's fiancee, was charmingly played by one of the younger members, Lorraine Kenny, while Sybil's mother, Lady Julia Merton, (Ann Rawlinson) was a posh mother-in-law in the best tradition of English farce.

Arthur's relatives, are familiar, eccentric types; the Dean of Paddington (Chris Wilks), his uncle; Lady Windermere (Irene Holmes), his aunt; and Lady Clementina Beauchamp (Hilda Barton), his great-aunt, all gave character to the roles.

Bill Mason seemed to enjoy his role as Mr Podgers, a Cheiromantist, which is another word for a reader of palms, an activity on which the plot hinges.

Mike Jeffries, as Herr Winkelkopf, an over-the-top anarchist in lederhosen, earned himself a fair share of the production's many laughs by hamming it up outrageously.

In such a play there had to be a maid, and this one, Nellie, (Joyce Walsh), was another minor star of an excellent show. DOREEN CROWTHER

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.