Richmond Shakespeare Society's contribution to the Chelsea Flower Show week was its own impeccable show garden at the Mary Wallace Theatre.

Charlotte Jones's tragi-comedy Humble Boy caused the buzz. This neatly structured play, dripping with symbolism like honey from a knife, runs a constant allusion to Hamlet'. Director Chris Hurles' perceptive production showed the talents of the RSS at their best.

The play revolves around troubled Felix Humble, a Cambridge physicist, academically brilliant yet socially inept.

Matthew Flexman, making the most of the mordant lines, drew out Felix's befuddled anxiety. Felix returns home after the funeral of his father, a dedicated bee-keeper, to find that his mother, Flora, has disposed of the prize bees. Rosemary Oliver played the vain and arrogant Flora with ferocity.

Flora seems intent on eradicating the memories of her late husband, despite the awkward presence of his funereal urn. However, the benign presence of the gardener (serenely portrayed by Francis Abbott), unseen by all except Felix, ensures his continued influence.

Flora's preoccupation is with her lover, the vulgar George Pye, ardent in his passion, but blunt in its expression. Charles Halford relished this rollicking role, bringing out its comedy and inherent unhappiness.

George and Felix despise each other with undisguised venom, exacerbated by the shadow of an earlier relationship with George's daughter Rosie. Lisa Kendall brought a healthy earthliness to this role.

Carol Fuller's portrayal of Mercy Lott, the long-suffering neighbour, was a delight, as humour spills over into black comedy when she inadvertently seasons everyone's gazpacho with the ashes.

This incisive, sad, but very funny play has the easeful delight of an English garden in summer. RHS or RSS? It's certainly a medal-winning show.

Mark Aspen