Review: Waiting for Gateaux

GREAT title...but the proof in the pudding is in the eating.

From the writers of the comedy "Dirty Dusting" - Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood - comes this production promising plenty of belly laughs.

There are some here in the mix. All the main ingredients are there. A nicely-paced first half bodes well with solid scene setters but then - as we often see on the Great British Bake Off - planned creations do crumble.

This is a farce in the old tradition. It does what it says on the packet.

Director Pauline Daniels also stars as likable, world-weary Maureen who runs Mo-tivators (another great name) which we hear is a poor excuse for a health and fitness club in the middle of nowhere.

The clients like nothing better than having a bit of pizza and quiet.

The characters who sign up for self-inflicted dietary dilemma aren't exactly weight-watchers, more like people with weights on their own minds.

Donald, played with sparkling Alan Carr-styled enthusiasm by Andy Ford, never stops. This endearing actor will clearly lose a few more stone by the end of the run.

Donald is in love with 50-something cookie (hard-baked) widow Mo. She has no idea she is fancied.

Pauline's fine comic timing - as ever - means she is cooking from starter to dessert.

Then there's Jackie, played by Royal Court stalwart Lynn Francis.

And introducing Whitney courtesy of confident Emma Lisi. A Goth with attitude.

There's also one of Liverpool's favourite actresses Suzanne Collins as Sophie who is not what she seems.

Suzanne continues to show her ever-growing versatility playing characters across the theatrical spectrum.

Her voice this time is as strong as her on-stage personality.

She carries the twist very well.

I do wish people would stop saying "former Brookside star" about Ms Collins.

There's more to her than that long-gone soap.

I would love to see Suzanne in a role that she can really get her teeth into.

Here she plays a TV reality show researcher checking out a sure-fire hit featuring keep fit dysfunctionals.

The plot, like clotted cream, thickens.

A snowstorm locks the five in the run-down gym. And that is the part of the story where angst and saccharine sentimentality clash.

Along the way there are some good, bitter sweet one-liners.

It is an ensemble piece and there is potential here for future productions, Well done to the Epstein on its first in-house play.

Waiting for Gateaux is full of energy and the cast give their all and so, too, does the audience.

Globe rating: 3/5. Slices of fun.

Epstein Theatre until May 2.

Running time: Under two hours.

Tickets: 08448 884 411.