The Odd Couple is staged this week at the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon by the Studio Theatre Club. Olive Madison (Erin Burns) lives on her own and has a 'relaxed' attitude to life and housekeeping. She and her closest friends; Mickey (Victoria Maskell), Sylvie (Debs McKenna), Vera (Georgina Longley), and Renee (Pamela Linnen) have regular Trivial Pursuit nights but tonight the final member of the group, Florence Ungar (Natasha Warner), is late for the party and has disturbing news. Florence (who enjoys a much more ordered lifestyle) has been kicked out by her husband ends up living with Olive who soon regrets her helpfulness in this clever adaptation by Neil Simon and directed by Brian Mackenwells.

The performances by Burns and Warner are sublime, their timing is flawless and the clever use of the small stage helps convey the impact that this mismatched couple has on each other. Equally funny are the supporting characters, each bringing with them a very powerful and pacy cocktail of sarcasm, frustration, obliviousness, and intensity. Olive's frustration is only compounded with the introduction of the two Spanish brothers, Manolo and Jesus Costazuela played beautifully by Charlie Vicary and David Robertson with whom she hopes to be able to relight her romantic fire. Again the timing is perfect and the comedy is subtly played by all the cast - they will not disappoint!

If you want an inexpensive night out that will make you laugh out loud you cannot go wrong by popping down to the Unicorn Theatre this week. The STC has produced a little gem that they should be proud of! It is very very good indeed!