JOHN Updike’s tale of sexual chemistry couldn’t fail to be a success on screen, with its Hollywood A-list cast.

Transferring it to the stage is a different matter and director Claire Nias had a really good stab at it, but I needed the synopsis to clarify what I’d just seen, but not always heard clearly.

Set in straight-laced Rhode Island, three friends (any evidence that they were witches largely escaped me) bemoan their lack of sexual excitement.

Caroline Roper (Alex), Carol Robinson (Jane) and Catherine Graham-Evans (the easiest on the ear and eye as Sukie) did their best but there was no obvious physical attraction between them and lecherous newcomer Darryl Van Horne (Eddie Nias in another magnetic performance).

After seducing the ladies into a ménage a quatre, he abandons them and they cast a spell that destroys him.

The impressive set provided some challenges, with scene changes that often stilted the flow.

Not quite spellbinding.