ROME was gallantly - and very cheerfully - recreated in this colourful and entertaining production by the Malvern Theatre Players.

A good house in The Forum enjoyed an evening to brighten the winter gloom and some extremely good performances from a large cast.

The play was anchored by the experienced Andrew Howie, as the slave Pseudolus, who had many of the best lines and kept the frenetic action going.

Peter Griffiths, too, enjoyed some of the best of the script's asides as Senex, the errant patrician with an eye for maids, while Lee Farley's panicky master slave, Hysterium, injected the necessary chaos to the farce.

Judith Sanderson (Philia) and Ed Underwood (Hero) were effectively dewy-eyed as they young lovers, while Darren Morris, as the soldier Miles Gloriosus, was splendidly bombastic.

Above all, it was the energy and the obvious enjoyment of the players which lifted the production as the company, once again, produced a highly professional and enjoyable show.

Mention must also go to the set and costume designers, in both cases they produced extremely professional work, also the "Etruscan Euphony", for over two hours of jaunty music.

Performances continue tonight (Friday) and tomorrow at 7.30pm - well worth the trip.