Harvey tells the story of the nice guy to end all nice guys, Elwood P. Dowd. Elwood’s best friend is an invisible, 6-foot-three-and-a-half-inch tall white rabbit: the eponymous Harvey. Coupled with a penchant for alcohol, Elwood’s relations are alarmed and embarrassed by his infatuation with what they presume to be a hallucinated rabbit. They address these perceived delusions by seeking to have him committed to a sanatorium in spite of his high-functioning candour and infallible affability. It is only once this decision has been taken that the limits of psychological evaluation begin to present themselves with comical consequences, demonstrating the absurdity of decisively categorising anything as ‘reality’ at all.

Harvey has a big history as a Pulitzer Prize-winning play which had an extensive run on Broadway which was subsequently adapted into an Oscar-winning film. Studio Theatre Club are by no means a big production company but they do a tremendous job handling such a canonical work. If comedy really is the hardest genre an actor faces then praise must go to the cast and director Matthew Kirk for their genuinely funny production (Mike McDonald’s brilliant turn as Wilson was particularly amusing). Similarly, Daniel Booth’s Elwood was irresistibly sincere and charming and did the part justice, carrying that watertight gracious demeanour with real tact and inner intrigue.

So I was, really, nothing but impressed. I was thoroughly entertained. Obviously there were a couple of miscues here and there and the set wasn’t exactly a formidable space for the drama to unfold in, but what was lacking in professional veneer was more than made up for in earnest performance. All that’s to be loved about amateur theatre is here – the clever dramaturgical tricks are stripped away leaving the essence of what is really enjoyed about comic plays, namely thought provoking entertainment and engrossing storytelling. This production triumphs by both of these measures. ‘Amateur’ simply means ‘lover of’ anyway, and I certainly felt the love and enthusiasm for their craft with this one.

Elwood famously recounts some advice his mother gave him:

"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.”

I will quote you Elwood. Studio Theatre Club are, decidedly, oh so pleasant. I recommend this production. And you may quote me.