Other theatrical bloggers and tweeters have raved about its past runs at Riverside Studios, so I decided to check out Bill Bankes-Jones' production of
Salad Days, back by popular demand (although tonight a bit quiet, the post-New Year lull meaning only about a half-full house.) 1950s musicals aren't high on my must-see lists, but this one proved to be worth making an exception for as it turns out to operate on a level of silliness that manages to stay the right side of twee, while occasionally veering into outright insanity. As we enter, it's the graduation ceremony at Oxford University, 1954, and the audience are handed diplomas congratulating us on passing our degrees - which, it turns out, have included a module on Suspension of Disbelief which will prove handy. Graduates Jane (Katie Moore) and Timothy (usually played by Leo Miles) are now faced with the problem of returning to their families: Her mother has lined up a number of eligible suitors to marry her off to; his wants him to take a job with one of his many uncles. A husband for her and something to keep him busy would give them the excuse to keep their independence.
