Mr Wonderful

Mr Wonderful explores the relationship between a bedridden, meddling mother Phoebe Green, beautifully played by Virginia Leaver, and her middle aged, spinster daughter Norma, sympathetically portrayed by Naomi Thompson and the occasional males that she and her mother pick out of a catalogue of “lonely hearts”.

The male “love interests”, Trevor Love and Michael Denny, trying (unsuccessfully) to find a mate by trawling through the same catalogue, meet with Norma with varying comic results.

Meanwhile Phoebe’s constant companion is an oversized teddy bear who is privy to her various schemes.

Laughter comes thick and fast through out the play, especially when Phoebe slips into her ‘Queen Mother’ characterizations.

Norm Strambini’s clever set easily allows for the “dating scenes” and Phoebe’s home to be presented with minimum delay and the occasional “bike riding” interludes added to the fun.

The intimate atmosphere of Javeenbah’s theatre was well suited to this style of show.

Director Gaye Gay made good use of the combined talents of this dynamic company and gave the audience a fun night out.

Roger McKenzie