ESSEX sisters Sharon and Tracey and their feisty man eater of a neighbour Dorien are reunited in this stage version of the hugely popular 90s TV series.
And it's clear to see that Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and the divine Lesley Joseph still have the brilliant chemistry that made the sitcom one of the UK's best loved.
This production moves the story on from when we last saw them on our screens in 1998, with the sisters still living together with Tracey's son Travis (played alternately by the real-life sons of Pauline and Linda). They receive a letter from Dorien, who now runs a retirement home and they end up working for her - with hilarious and unforeseen consequences.
True, the story feels very contrived and the plot verges on the ludicrous at times. But the scriptwriting is sharp and funny and the audience was kept chuckling throughout. There were one or two cracking lines that will stay in the memory for a long time - particularly one delivered by Tracey about her husband's skills in the bedroom department, which had the audience in stitches and even the three actresses couldn't suppress a giggle!
But the real selling point of the show is its three stars and their relationship. They bounce off each other brilliantly and their repartee positively sparkles. Pauline Quirke, fresh from her heavy dramatic role in Emmerdale, is clearly relishing the chance to return to comedy. Linda Robson was on great form and national treasure Lesley Joseph was simply superb, teetering around in impossibly high heels and even more impossibly tight outfits. How does she do it??!
Birds of a Feather runs until Saturday.
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