The Walsingham Organ, East Anglian Daily Times

A church organ as a symbol of class divide?   Certainly in 1860s Walsingham, where the new installation is the pet project of the local grandees, vicar Septimus Lee Warner and his brother Squire Henry.   Its arrival means the church band, led by aspiring builder and demolitions expert Miles Brown, is made redundant.

Resentment grows and, on bonfire night 1866, the organ is blown to smithereens.   To Septimus, this is an act of sacrilege and to Henry and attack on the established order.   They determine to bring the culprit to justice.

Far from being a conventional whodunit, Alastair Cording's beautifully written play combines broad comedy, social commitment and a touching love story.

Brian Orrell is delightfully pompous as condescending Septimus and Sally Ann Burnett is excellent as the naïve Charlotte, hopelessly torn between love and duty.   Richard Brown (as his namesake Miles) gives a strong portrayal of a man devoured by a burning sense of injustice and James Peck differentiates the roles of the Squire and Miles' simpleton brother James with impressive physical and vocal skill.

With imaginative direction from Ivan Cutting and a clever set by Alex Eales, this production, seen at the Village Hall at Creeting St Mary near Ipswich, shows Eastern Angles at its brilliant best.

James Hayward, EADT