The Clarendon Players excelled in last week’s poignant production of Brief Encounter, skillfully co-directed by Paula Clifford and Zoe Stewart.

The 1938 set, brilliantly designed by Dick Clark, depicted no less than seven different well-furnished locations – all achieved by slick movement of curtains.

Superb performances by Karen Smith (Laura) and Neil Edwards (Alec) conveyed the desperate dilemma posed by the magnetic attraction of unfulfilled love.

The couple who met by chance in a railway refreshment room finally parted there, after four Thursday afternoons in which a future together seemed almost possible.

Their anguish contrasted vividly with the easy, companionable romance of station staff Myrtle (Wendy Mitchell) and Albert (Alec Smith), Incidental music and railway sound effects were splendid.

A cine-film introduction heightened the impact of Noel Coward’s classic. Supporting actors were excellent, notably the saucy young Stanley (Bradley Cowtan). Doreen Hewer had a wonderful cameo role as Dolly. Mel Hopkins was Laura’s dull but devoted husband. Fiona Jacobs, as refreshment room assistant Beryl, also played the singer at an up-market bar. Denise Humphries, Mark Richardson, Helen Forrest, Mary Morsink and Mike Edwards completed the adult cast and the children’s roles were shared by Carita Aspell, Billy Hughes, Frances O’Donoghue and Louie Hughes.