Review - Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday NOT really knowing what to expect - wondering what was really on my mind and whether I'd be all shook up, this proved every bit as wonderfully quirky as the title suggested.

It's a feel good night, but not until a bizarre and eccentric collection of party guests has wrung every last drop out of a sensational and often sensitive script from Worcester author, Charlotte Jones. No wonder the play has received such rave reviews on its tour.

Josie (Lesley Dunlop) is a believable disillusioned dominatrix on her 50th birthday; while client Lionel (Derek Hutchinson) is perfection as a cross-dresser who is desperate for a full head of hair and a wife.

Throw Maureen Lipman, as brilliant as ever as Martha - a somewhat dotty daily cleaner, into the pot and the ingredients are all there for a first class night of fun that also has its more tender moments.

But even better still when the Chinese Elvis impersonator (Paul Courtenay Hyu) enters. And he's not even Chinese. Hailing from Vietnam via Whalley Range with accent to match and wisdom beyond his years!

Great fun, even when the props didn't behave - Martha and Lionel earning applause for a near You've Been Framed' stunt when a picture twice fell off a wall!

Strong performances too from Emily Aston and Michelle Tate as Josie's daughters to earn all a most deserved loud and prolonged ovation.
AJW