ACTOR Roy Hudd obviously has a few fans in Malvern. He returned to the stage here in Solid Gold Cadillac after taking time off its tour for exhaustion.

But nobody could have known. He was dapper, lively and believable in his role as American millionaire tycoon Edward L McKeever, his performance prompting much applause and even some standing ovations.

Taking the stage alongside Hudd are an accomplished cast portraying overpaid board members and other employees of fictitious retail giant, General Products.

Really creating the ambience in the satire though is Patricia Routledge. As small stockholder Laura Partridge, she causes ripples by asking questions about huge salaries at her first stockholders' meeting.

In an attempt to quiet her, the board offers her a job - failing to realise that her warm approach will win fans and ultimately power.

Routledge is lovely in the role. An outwardly bumbling persona is balanced perfectly with a likeable bullishness and directness. You believe her inquisitive presence could spark upheavals in a corporation.

The Act production also embraces video footage and costumes to create a wonderful sense of the 1940's and the play's message about greed in capitalism is as relevant now as it was then. Solid Gold Cadillac continues until tomorrow (Saturday).

Ally Hardy