If you're reading this and you live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, you only have until June 23rd to see a real gem of a comedy at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre.  "Caught in the Net" by Ray Cooney, a sequel to "Run for Your Wife" (which I did not see - and is not required to enjoy this show), is a smart, funny, fast-paced farce in the best British style.  Think Fawlty Towers crossed with an adult HBO comedy, perhaps.

The play takes place in the home of John and Mary Smith (who live in Wimbledon) and, simultaneously, in the home of John and Barbara Smith (who live in Streatham).  It takes the audience a few minutes to adjust to the fact that action is taking place in both homes in the same set, but that effect is played to perfection as the story moves along.  The two John Smiths I mentioned are in fact one and the same; he is a bigamist, with two families.  Into this complicated life is inserted the crux of the plot: John's two teenage children (Vicki from one family and Gavin from the other) have met on the internet and now want to meet face to face, fascinated by each other and by all the things their fathers have in common - same age, same name, even the same job.  John suddenly has to frantically try to keep his children apart and his two households together, with the help of his best friend and border Stanley Gardner (who lives in the upstairs flat in the Wimbledon home).

The script is tight and the performances are first rate.  In particular, the interplay between John (Russell Johnson) and Stanley (David H. M. Lambert) is masterful.  Early in the play John is the center of attention, but soon his running from house to house leaves Stanley with quite a bit to handle, and Lambert delivers each line with comedic precision, from his befuddled facial expressions to his red-faced yelling when necessary.  Lambert and Johnson put everything they have into their roles, but it is the character of Stanley which makes the play such a delight.  Special mention should also go to Mary (Trista Wyly) and Stanley's father (Michael Roe) for adding a lot of energy and hilarity to their roles.  All the performances are terrific, but Barbara (Aleisha Force) and the teenagers are generally left to play the straight men and straight women to all the craziness surrounding them. 

Lisa Cotie's direction gets the best out of each actor.  Aside from a bit of clunkiness in the opening scene as the dialog steps over itself, the simultaneous stage setting is quickly turned from a burden into an asset.  It is a shame that more people won't see this production, due to its limited run.  I strongly suggest you try not to be one of the people who misses it!

If you haven't attended a production at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre before, you'll find it located on Mockingbird a block from 75, across from the Mockingbird station.  Doors open about 90 minutes before show time, and if you don't show up at the last minute you can enjoy a light meal from their menu.  The Mandarin Chicken Salad is a favorite of ours.  Service supposedly stops 30 minutes before curtain, but if you beg and plead enough you can often order later than that.  Many of the shows at PST are "popcorn throwers" - audience-participation "melodramaramas" where you can shout and throw popcorn at the actors - or other members of the audience.  This can turn a funny show ("Attack! of the Zombie Moonmaids") into a riot, or a less-pleasing one (the recent "Zorro" production) into a good time.  However, please note "Caught in the Net" is NOT a popcorn-thrower...it doesn't need the audience to make it a home run, what happens on stage accomplishes that all on its own.

The show runs Thursday through Sunday until June 23, but reservations are suggested...PST only seats maybe 100 patrons or so, and the last thing you want to do is show up and be turned away at the door!  The box office opens at 2pm daily, and can be reached at (214) 821-1860.  Don't miss "Caught in the Net"!