HERE'S to Mrs Robinson, also known as Glynis Barber, who was simply sensational in this production.

I'd heard a lot in advance about how much or little flesh would be on show, but Ms Barber oozed sophisticated sex at the right times, whilst giving a well-rounded characterisation of a sad, unfulfilled alcoholic.

And the young man who played the part of moody aimless Benjamin, son of Mrs Robinson's close friends was brilliant too. Andres Williams has been playing the part, opposite various leading ladies, for a long time, and it showed. He was funny, sad, dramatic and, above all, so very young!

Played on a stylish set, the slick production used intros from the music in the film to move from scene to scene. Producers Sacha Brooks and John Reid had wanted to move as far away from the famous film as possible originally, but in their words: "were in grave danger of fixing something that wasn't broken." And I agree, it worked really well.

The producers also went back to the novel by Charles Webb for fresh insight and decided to develop the part of Elaine Robinson. This added fresh impetus to the story for me, as the film merely touches on the role. Played very well by Jessica Brooks, the play delves into her relationship with her mother and makes her very much her own person.

The rest of the cast were great too, and I must make special mention of the stripper, played by Julie McKenna and her tassels!

LM