The Ensemble Theatre Company’s current production is Neil Simon’s romantic comedy, ‘Chapter 2’. Still coming to terms with the death of his wife, New York novelist George Schneider (Brian Meegan) has little interest in the dating game. Neither does Jennie Malone (Georgie Parker), an attractive and recently divorced actress. But with his brother Leo (Jamie Oxenbould) and Jennie’s best friend, Faye (Kate Raison) playing matchmakers, George and Jennie reluctantly agree to a brief meeting. George senses a chemistry between them, and its not long before he thinks he might take the plunge again.

‘Chapter 2’ takes its place as comfortable, middle class popular theatre . Because it is Neil Simon, the dialogue is full of one liners, and the dialogue just races along. My pick of the scenes was the sequence featuring a series of phone calls between George and Jennie, as the couple verbally spar with each other, before they finally agree to meeting. It was brilliant stuff, and well played by the actors.

It genuinely felt like a play of two halves. The first Act worked a treat, lots of good one liners and quick action, but Act 2 felt flat. I put this down to the slower action and lots of introspective, long speeches. It felt more like a playwright working through personal issues than creating stimulating theatre.

Sandra Bates directed the production, and brought together a strong cast. My pick, an outstanding performance in the lead role by Brian Meegan. It was an assured, warm performance and one could feel what his character was going through. Old friiends, Georgie Parker and Kate Raison, worked well in the two female leads. One final note, credit to a great, clean set design by Mark Thompson that cleverely delineated George and Jennie’s worlds.