FROM the moment Hannah Gordon walked on stage, beautiful, elegant and apparently ageless, festivalgoers were utterly charmed and felt they were sharing an evening with Hannah and her friends, rather than merely watching a performance.

Using pieces from those selected by the late Peter Barkworth for his collection, For All Occasions, Hannah read both poetry and prose as it should be read, using her considerable acting skills to ensure her listeners could understand and appreciate the works at first hearing.

Many of the pieces, such as Joyce Grenfell's A Speech and the extract from Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, demonstrated her versatility and talent for comedy.

With her impeccable timing and beautiful voice, she was able to change the mood at will, as with the unexpectedly moving piece by Noel Coward, The Boy Actor, and the poignant letter to a soldier written on November 11, 1920, by Dorothea Mary Mayhew.

This delightful programme of readings, interspersed with varied musical interludes by the talented Christine Croshaw on piano and Clive Conway on flute, proved another great success for Bewdley Festival.

JAS