Relative Values at the Chichester Festival Theatre is a joy to behold provided that it is viewed as a nostalgic reflection of a post-war Britain which has largely disappeared. Early in the fifties the achievements or otherwise of socialism were being swept away and Coward caught the mood of the day in this play set in a stately home in England. The social experiment upon which the plot is developed and the identification of 'class' may seem rather right wing but in fact it is possible to identify with both right and left in the way in which the Countess of Marshwood (Susan Hampshire), aided and abetted by her butler Crestwell (Anthony Bate), manipulates the matrimonial and domestic activities of the household. Susan Hampshire is a bland but conniving Countess who clearly is going to get her own way and Alison Fiske as Moxie, her personal maid who becomes the centre of social experiment, are well matched. Anthony Bate as the literary and academic butler is a totally credible character of the time and Edward Duke as the Hon Peter Ingleton joins in the fun at the expense of the young Earl played by Paul Rattigan and his film-star fiancée played by Sarah Brightman. Venetia Barrett, Alan Bennion and Vincenzo Nicoli make up this hard working cast. Candida Rundle as the maid Alice thoroughly enjoyed herself. Tim Luscombe’s fast moving and imaginative direction in a setting by Rob Howell, which also uses part of the backstage area, makes this a fun evening.