THE 1930s novel Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons, was written as a parody of passionate romances and is filled with extraordinary characters strung out along an implausible plotline.

These weird larger-than-life personalities are a gift to actors to indulge themselves in some serious extrovert performances and Taunton Thespians, under Jane Burt’s direction, make a decent go of it at the Tacchi-Morris Centre this week.

The plot revolves around Flora Poste, a sensible woman, recently orphaned who seeks out her barmy relations, the Starkadders, at their run-down, doom-laden Cold Comfort Farm.

Here, armed with ‘The Highest Common Sense’ and ‘Mansfield Park’, she sets about putting everyone’s life on track.

As the lynch-pin and main protagonist, Flora is a huge part and her character drives the action throughout the play.

Charlotte Briggs rose to that challenge with poise and composure.

Cynthia Jones was suitably tyrannical as mad matriarch Ada Doom and Ray Court’s Amos preached hell-fire with passion. Elsewhere Nikki Court took maternal love over the edge as Judith and Tony Leach added slapstick to his part of bedraggled idiot Urk.

As Elfine Elaine Rawle brought a touch of wild-wood innocence to her part and Tom Cooney was a gauche Richard Hawke-Monitor, her secret amour.

Jack Horwood was a gorgeous, moody Seth and Charlie Dorr made Reuben the most sympathetic character on this stage of fools.

By Helen Rose.

  • THE show runs every night until Saturday, March 13, at 7.30pm with an additional 2pm matinee on Saturday. Call 01823-414141 or Taunton’s Tourist Information Centre 01823-336344.