The phrase ‘privy to private information’ might lead one to think that the play ‘A Night on The Tiles’, written by Frank Vickery, was a thriller but this is not the case.

Information is overheard while on the outside ‘privy’ by two brothers, Kenneth and Gareth. This has very powerful consequences on their futures, and the audience at the Phoenix Theatre was left wondering what might happen next in cleverly woven dialogue about a very Welsh family.

The story is really about a ‘ménage a trois’ between Kenneth, played with hilarious effect by Gareth Wigg, and his brother Gareth, played by Phil Field, whose intensity as an actor came across well. These two are both in love with Shirley, played by Michelle Cooper, who always acts emotional parts so well.

The audience go through the full spectrum of life with births, weddings and funerals and there are many high spots of both comedy and pathos in the play.

Jane Bovell plays the matriarchal figure, Doris with panache. Her over the fence chats with nosey neighbour Mrs Morris, who was played by Jacky Bedford with wonderful comic timing, were a joy to behold!

The little Welsh village in which the story takes place has finely drawn characters. Howard Owen’s utterings as Grandad, played from the privy and in the house, were great fun.

Roger Williams as Reg, father of the two boys, showed his skills as an actor capable of both serious and comic touches.

Director David Pollard is certainly getting his feet under the table at the Phoenix Theatre. This was a very entertaining play, well directed and shrewdly cast, which the actors obviously enjoyed being in.

The set was cleverly designed and the backs of the two houses were reminiscent of miner’s cottages so prevalent in the post war years.

Gordon Brigg