A STAR famous for being a failure has his life shattered when he's caught in a compromising position with a woman dressed as a clown.

Alan Ayckbourn's imagination runs wild in his new comedy Drowning on Dry Land, a wry look at the world of celebrity.

Television star Charlie Conrad has everything, a perfect home, wonderful children, a beautiful wife and adoring fans.

The play asks why Charlie is famous for doing nothing, questions his happiness and shows how quickly celebrity status can disappear.

Stephen Beckett is excellent as the clueless star Charlie as is Melanie Gutteridge as his disillusioned wife Linzi. They both resemble celebrity couples seen in the press every day.

Sarah Moyle plays Marsha, a huge Charlie fan who dresses up as Mr Chortles the clown to entertain children at his son's birthday party.

She cleverly performs Marsha's transformation from shy woman, to clown, to obsessed fan and alleged victim of Charlie's advances.

Mention must also go to Adrian McLoughlin, who plays Charlie's agent Jason, Stuart Fox, who has the audience in stitches playing the smooth lawyer Hugo, and Alexandra Mathie, who plays conniving TV reporter Gail.

Drowning on Dry Land is an interesting exploration of celebrity status and well worth seeing. It runs until tomorrow (Saturday).

Tickets are £12 to £20 from the Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.

JO LAFFERTY