Loves and laughs on a cold night

Just the thing to cheer you up on a winter's night is How the Other Half Loves, by members of Te Puke Repertory running in the Litt Park theatre.
The comedy, written in 1969 by an English knight of the theatre, Sir Alan Ayckbourne, offers sentiments as believable today as they no doubt were 40 years ago.
There are only six characters - three couples - all quite well drawn.
The 'senior' couple Frank and Fiona Foster were so well played by Tom Hawkey and Caroline Lowry that maybe they weren't acting?
Frank is the work boss of the two other male characters and his getting the wrong end of stick is central to the action.
His wife, Fiona, is the supportive type who knows how to throw together a dinner party to keep hubby's underlings happy.
She gets up to a bit more besides and that keeps the audience attentive.
The stage is set as the living room of the Fosters and the Phillips and the sharp dialogue and comings and goings require precise timing - which was managed pretty seamlessly on the gala opening night last Wednesday.
The Phillips are a younger couple than the Fosters, with a baby who remains off stage.
Bob Phillips was played by Ben Easte and his take on his wife's efforts probably strike a chord with young blokes fed up with home and happier out elsewhere.
Emma Nottingham, ably played Theresa Phillips, Bob's wife, who prefers reading the newspaper to doing housework - don't we all?
Her idea of laying the table for a dinner party is hilarious compared to Fiona Forter's style.
The early action creates an eagerness to meet the third couple, William and Mary Featherstone, played by Alan Chapman and Colleen Pye.
They don't disappoint - the butt of gossip, they certainly stand up for themselves.
The near-full house on opening night burst out laughing at several golden moments and it wasn't because of the free glass of mulled wine for all.
Director Pam Chapman has assembled not only a perfect cast but also a dedicated crew of about 18 behind the scenes, who make How the Other Half Loves come to life.
Go along and have a look. You'll see some types you know - a dithery old timer with stuck-up missus; handsome young bloke trying to escape his fed-up, housebound wife with one precious child; and a competent, eager-to-get-on accounts clerk with an anxious, uncertain wife.
But all the stereotypes are changed by the action.
How the Other Half Loves is on again tonight and every night, including Saturday at 8pm. Tickets from PaperPlus Te Puke.