For their new play, Joyce Birch for the Genesian Theatre Company has mounted a production of French playwright Jean Anouilh’s 1947 comedy, ‘Ring Around The Moon’, as adapted by Christopher Fry.

Anouilh’s play is set in a beautiful conservatory (lovely set design by Peter Henson) in a grand chateau in Auvergne in France, within the world of the upper classes, just prior to World War 1. Madame Desmortes is hosting a ball to celebrate the engagement of her nephew Frederic to Diana Messerschmann. Frederic’s twin brother Hugo, doesn’t believe Diana is right for Frederic and comes up with a plan to bring the engagement undone.

The nub of ‘Ring Around The Moon’ lay in the many plots and counter-plots that take place, with the fun being in following the characters as they set about getting what they wanted, and the obstacles that come across their paths.

This was an unexciting Genesian production that didn’t serve the play well. The production was marred by an uneven cast.

There were positives. There was Peter Henson’s lovely garden setting for the actors to work in. Tim Hanna successfully traversed the difficult terrain of playing both twins, the confident man around town, Hugo, and the nervy, submissive Frederic. Veteran Genesian performer Sandra Bass delivered some of the play’s wittiest lines as the erudite Madame Desmortes. Jeremy Just had some good comic moments as Diana’s secret lover, Patrice. Keith McIlroy convinced as the frazzled house butler, Joshua, who became a bit of a target when the situation hotted up.

‘Ring Around The Moon’ plays the Genesian theatre, 420 Kent street, Sydney, until the 25th April.