WITTY humour and endearing characters fill the stage during Somerset Maugham’s Before the Party.

The new stage production of Somerset Maugham’s comedy Before the Party is a hilarious, smart and fast-paced show – despite taking place in purely one room throughout.

The performance begins as a seemingly warm, humorous story, where the audience is invited intimately into the bedroom of Laura Skinner – but she is not alone.

The Skinner family neatly take position and you are swept into a family drama – a dysfunctional but loving family who are preparing for the latest social gathering.

Each role is assigned to perfections. Tom Conti (Shirley Valentine, Donovan, Miranda, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence) is a brilliantly sarcastic but empathetic Aubrey Skinner bringing the majority of laughs to the room.

Gwen Taylor (Coronation Street, Heartbeat, Barbara) stars alongside as Blanche – a dramatic, flamboyant but lovable sole who never fails to bring the darkest of scenes back to life.

The cast is completed by Elizabeth Payne as Kathleen Skinner, Carol Starks as Laura Whittingham, Peter Sandys-Clarke as David Marshall, Eleanor Thorn as Susan Skinner, and Leoisha O’Callaghan as Nanny.

With the same scenery throughout – the performance is reliant on the sharp script and dedicated actors – which is flawlessly fulfilled.

Before the Party may not actually see the party in question, but is not empty as a result. 

What is exposed throughout is a shocking, darker-than-expected plot which is left – strangely unresolved.

The audience is left slightly frustrated at the cliffhanger ending, a testament to the enticing characters and gripping plot.

Before the Party tours at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday, October 12 to Saturday, October 17.

Tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Bath box office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk