REVIEWER - WENDY HOLGATE

Past Loves provide present pleasure

Under the collective title of Past Loves, these four delightful comedies take a light-hearted look at relationships which, for one reason or another, are past.
The director, Julian Oldfield, has drawn together a team that includes several established BNT regulars – Marilyn Chestnut, Sonja Kinnersley, Gabrielle Leeds, Barrie McCausland, Peter Nethercote, Bill Scetrine, Hedley Thomson – and introduces Sharnarra Crawley, Bruce Eldridge, Justine Morris and Philip Quinn.

I was particularly intrigued by the clever introduction of characters from the other plays subtly intermingled to bring the three plays together.
The first play introduces Justine Morris and Phillip Quinn in a perky little piece of theatre that shows how jealousy can ruin a relationship.

The second brings in all the emotions of loneliness, vanity, love, infidelity, humility, humour and lies. Gabrielle Leeds is excellent as Mrs. Morgan a woman who left her husband some years ago. The husband, a man of social stature, is played superbly by Bill Scetrine. Barrie McCausland plays the very single detective Mr. Frute. Hedley Thomson is the lawyer. Eventually, a lie brings a very happy ending.

The third play, wonderfully acted by Sonja Kinnersly and Peter Nethercote, is about two lovers. He is in love with her but she, after telling her husband about the affair, feels guilty and wants to call it off.
The fourth play, starring the very talented Marilyn Chestnut, is about an aging film actress. Bruce Eldridge is The Porter and Sharnarra Crawley is the Reporter from Australia. Anyone who has ever been in love, had a lover, a wonderful marriage or found themselves "on their own" will relate to one or all of these plays.