DIRECTOR: Nick Hamm

WRITER: Graham Alborough

PRODUCER: Barry Hanson

PRINCIPAL CAST: Colin Firth [Alan], Cathy Tyson [Julie], John Lynch [Rudy], Catherine Zeta Jones [Chirsty] et al

ABOUT THE PLAY: In this lively made-for-TV drama Colin plays the would-be film-maker Alan, who attempts to control his life by scripting "spontaneous" events around him. Most of the play takes place in a studio which is also Alan's flat. The New Zealand director Lisa Warrington has an excellent analysis of Out of the Blue on her website. Here are some quotes:

"In my opinion, Out of the Blue is most definitely a comedy. It has all the hallmarks thereof. It is a parody/satire in which all the characters, however subtly they may be represented, are targets of one kind or another. Colin proves himself a very able comedian in this lightweight but entertaining piece. He gets the 'arty' director down pat: "Okay, don't forget your face, we're coming in tight - expressions and everything". As a comic creation, Alan is very, very funny without once being played for laughs."

/.../ "Colin gives us a young man who is completely driven by ambition and 'art', completely self-centred, unable to come up with an original thought, but always re-working what others say, and very funny. This character is played for humour from start to finish. I heartily recommend it - there are some first rate actors in it, and it is a terrific little satire, held together by Colin. He has no fear of playing a character who loses his dignity (one of the core elements of comedy). /.../ I always enjoy going back to this play - proof that Colin can do self-deprecating comedy really well."

Click here to read Lisa's full review of the play.

MY RATING: ***

VIDEOTAPE: --