THERE has been a rich vein of goodies on stage at Malvern's Festival Theatre in the past week or so.

Currently on stage, until Saturday, is Damsels in Distress - three new comedies written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn.

The trilogy - Game Plan, Flat Spin and Role Play - are on alternate days this week.

Monday's game plan showed Ayckbourn to once again be spot on with his observations of life.

A genuinely funny comedy, with excellent cast and set, and with a serious comment to make on modern day life.

Game Plan quickly reveals where the title comes from as a teenage daughter decides she has to offer her services to gentlemen in order to help her, and her mother's precarious financial state.

It leads to some hilarious scenes and a particular accolade for Alison Pargeter as the shy Kelly, who is inveigled into 'helping out.' A young lady who surely has a big future as a comedy actress.

Last week was also sheer nostalgic pleasure with E. Nesbitt's classic adventure, The Railway Children.

Brian Cant, showed just why he is a favourite on children's tv - directing and starring and, aided and abetted by a first class cast, this was a vintage production. AW