The Nightingales, a comedy by Peter Quilter set in the 1950's, is this week brought to The Unicorn stage at Abingdon by amateur group BreakaLeg Productions. The story tells of variety pianist Jack Nightingale as he receives a surprise visit from his parents Charlie and Beatrice. A pair of retired thesps, they insist they are to stay for an indefinite length of time - much to the annoyance of Jack, his variety partner Maggie and housekeeper Geraldine.

The script, written in 2011, is not Quilters best and has nowhere near the originality of his biggest successes such as Glorious. The programme notes from this production quote Quilter saying "The 50's were the final moment of sophistication in Theatre before grim reality started to dominate the stage. It is this final moment of gentle civilization that I've tried to capture" and that is essentially what he serves us: a Noel Coward tribute act. The script has some amusing moments, but considering it is nothing more than a light hearted comedy, there aren't nearly as many as there need to be. Its very light, very fluffy and very safe. If only Quilter had added in some of the "grim reality" of which he spoke, to give the play real substance to counteract the froth.

BreakaLeg Productions have however managed to make a good go of staging the play through the assured direction of Deidre Jones. In terms of set, Jones has managed to make the potentially difficult and unversatile space of The Unicorn Theatre her own. The stage is covered with elaborate dressings, and bead curtains cover the otherwise bare entrances. I did not, however, like the projected news reel that greets the audience at the start of the play. A bit to soppy and nostalgic for my taste!

There are decent performances all round. Jim Cottrell is solid as Jack and very much holds the show together; Maxine Ford gives her best dry delivery as Geraldine the house keeper and Mike Davis and Julie Kedward have good chemistry as a convincingly mad, old couple as Jacks parents. It is however Viv Beckett that steals the limelight with the best line of the show (concerning her nether regions)!

BreakaLeg Productions do breathe life into the script, but they do not hide its flaws. As the play says: "Somebody ought to write a play about this family!", "they did, the audience didn't believe it".