Reviews: THE HERALD August 18 2000

Music Theatre

Lunch at the Cooked Goose by Definitely Divas at The Engine Shed

Neil Jones 

FROTHY, frenetic and fun - this was everything you might expect when four college friends meet for a reunion lunch at this swanky new restaurant. An observant and witty libretto by Marian Lines with music by Betty Roe had shades of Cole Porter and the odd touch of Handel and Britten.

All was entertainingly sung by the classically-trained Definitely Divas  - Carol Bishop, Marjorie Bruce, Suzanne Walker and Gillian Wormley, as they looked back on marriages, divorces, career success, family life and the odd affair.

There was some pathos too, as, with champagne flowing, the ladies became more introspective; Suzanne Walker's 'Failure Aria' was particularly moving.

But the mood was generally upbeat - entirely appropriate for this piece of light music theatre, stylishly directed by Robin Martin-Oliver. A thoroughly enjoyable pre-lunch aperatif.