IT was a night of comedy for Alton Operatic and Dramatic Society when they produced the hilarious Absurd Person Singular, by Alan Ayckbourn, at the Assembly Rooms.

Directed by Chris Lang, the action takes place on three successive Christmases and follows the fortunes of three couples beginning with Sidney (Chris Lang) and Jane (Jane Samways), a socially ambitious couple whose new kitchen is the scene of the first play.

The second is set in the stylish kitchen of Geoffrey (Graham Coper), a womaniser and the suicidal Eva (Eleanor Bradbury), addicted to antidepressants.

The third couple are Ronald (Andrew Smith) and Marion (Kate Youll) who because their house is freezing cold and Marion keeps warm by drinking as much gin as she can.

The play’s final scene sees the three couples playing an hysterical party game which, of course, ends in typical Ayckbourn mayhem.

Each actor, essential for this storey line, had excellent comic timing and this is what made the play such a success. The cast were greeted with well-deserved loud applause when they took their bows.

Rob Hudd and his stage crew were also congratulated on their three very convincing kitchens, with well managed sound effects, including lashing rain and a barking dog.