What's On by Phyl Romeril for Guardian & Gazette Series, June 25, 1992
Wadham Players Theatre Group - Waltz of the Toreadors

Encouraged by their success in the recent Waltham Forest Drama Festival, Wadham Players launched out and moved to greater heights with a presentation of Jean Anouilh's Waltz of the Toreadors.

The setting was neatly adapted to the small stage at Forest Community Centre and the cast was well chosen.

There seemed to be a little uncertainty whether to play as a French farce or straight comedy but the absurdity was fully projected.

Keith Cummings is now an expert in his craft and played the vigorous General St Pe with distinctive mannerisms and at a good pace. Elaine Elliott has also moved a long way from her musical hall roles.

She played with force, Emily, the maniacal wife who railed and ranted at the General's infidelities. The two young daughters (Lucy and Sally Elliott) belied the constant reference to their ugliness, but both girls gave fresh and natural performances.

Ron Atkinson's easy-going doctor, Alison Rhodes chaste Ghislaine, Alisdair Low's diffident Gaston and Kathy Hutton's mature and forceful Mme Dupont-Fredaine were essential ingredients for the success.

The farcical tragedy and tomfoolery kept the pot boiling. The music was played by Len Wilcox and Jo Hobbs and Michael Michael produced.