PRESENTING a "play within a play", Richmond Operatic Society transformed itself into The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Operatic Society to bring a consciously amateur version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado.

Deviations from the original added a pantomime atmosphere and included an origami competition with full audience participation, a sing-song of traditional English hymns, a cross-dressed third little maid from school, loud off-stage prompts and frequent choreographed chaos. Angie Moore played Hermione, the rather elderly chorus member whose zimmer frame caused havoc on stage, and Pru Nunn provided some wonderful deadpan comic moments as the rather vacant Ronnie, playing Lord High Executioner, Ko-Ko.

The live orchestra was situated at the rear of the stage, and was frequently berated by the performers for serving refreshments, eating crisps and chatting throughout the show. The musicians appeared after the interval thoroughly half cut, having apparently partaken freely of sherry provided by a well-meaning Farndale community member.

Scenery and costumes both demonstrated the "skills" of the The Farndale Townswomen’ Guild, with some extraordinary floral "Japanese" robes, a boat on wheels and paintings of cherry blossom trees which were carried across the stage. Red lighting and side panels of Japanese lettering were an unsubtle addition to the scenery.

Tunefulness was also clearly only optional in Farndale, although the Reverend Reg Bishop, played by Dan Connolly, and Karen Brunyee as Felicity playing Katisha, had good signing voices. Jodie Martin was suitably over the top as the domineering Mrs Reece, and Helen Cain energetically took the role of Angela playing Nanki-Poo, despite having to pop off stage to move her badly parked car.

In the programme notes, director Lou Holliday offered a “heartfelt” apology to G&S fans and described the show as “very silly”. I am compelled to agree.

Christina McIntyre