What the Butler Saw, by Joe Orton was the first of the current season of plays to be performed by Northenden Players Theatre Club.

The action takes place in the consulting room of psychiatrist Dr. Prentice[ Bill Platt ]. Geraldine Berkley [Margaret Frost ] is interviewing for the post of secretary.

Mrs. Prentice [ Eleanor Ford ] comes into the surgery claiming to have been assaulted by Nicholas Beckett [Kevin Proctor ] a page working at The Station Hotel.

Further confusion occurs when Dr Rance, psychiatrist and bureaucrat [ Peter Bowers ] arrives to conduct a review of the clinic. Sergeant Match [ Andy Foulkes ] enters to make enquiries about the behaviour of the hotel page. There are changes of clothing to conceal identity and much confusion until it finally emerges that Nicholas and Geraldine are, in fact, twins, the result of a pre-marital liaison between Dr and Mrs Prentice in a linen closet during an electrical blackout. Circumstances at the time meant that she had to give the children away.

Despite all the remarkable peccadilloes uncovered in the proceedings, the story has a happy ending.

The play was a very dark, unusual comedy with fine performances from Bill Platt and Peter Bowers, ably supported by the rest of the cast. It was expertly directed by Jenny Gibson and the very clever scenery was designed by Nigel Machin.

Review by David Farwell

NPTC’s next production will be The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright.

It will run from 23rd to 29th October [ no performance Monday 24th ] at Victoria Road Methodist Church Hall, Northenden.

Contact 0161 445 6868 for tickets.