WHEN a spy drama’s stage is set with a scotch bottle dead-centre (that famous loosener of the tongue) you know it’s going to be good.

Wellington Theatre Company took on Alan Bennett’s award-winning Single Spies last week in what proved – in their hands – a deftly-produced secret services special ‘til the final bow.

Part one, ‘An Englishman Abroad’, had Paul Smith cast as real-life Cambridge Spy Ring member, Guy Burgess.

He performed with rich-voiced dexterity.

Banished from Britain, ill-at-ease in Russia, Smith expressed Burgess’ torment at living in the grey between British patriotism and ‘Communist-ness’. Sorry, but not, for committing crimes against his country as part of the Cambridge Spy Ring.

As actress Coral Browne, off whom Burgess (Smith) bounced in the play, Monica Spalding was the perfect opposite.

Firm, funny, elegant and outspoken, Bennett’s script shone through Monica.

‘A Question of Attribution’, part two, saw the superbly dry Richard Protheroe as another of the Cambridge Spies, Anthony Blunt, with something very much of the disgruntled Bill Nighy about him.

Jack Glanville was a treat as the MI5 agent Chubb, questioning the “cold fish” Blunt.

Together, they drew out the neat parallels of Blunt’s role as surveyor of the Queen’s pictures, Titian, and the multi-layered man.

‘The Queen’, Mary Blunt, got the biggest titters for her caricature, playing up to an audience’s joy.

Applause also for ‘An Englishman Abroad’ director Colin Marshall, supporting actors Peter Meredith, John Skittrell and Mike Leach.

NEXT UP: Wellington Operatic Society performs Singin’ in the Rain at Wellington’s Wellesley Theatre on May 6-10.

DAISY BLACKLOCK