A maniacal comedy, one of Neil Simons best, his sense of the ridiculous is expertly laid out. This play is directed by Fred Lawson, who has performed in several plays for Harbour Theatre, including 'Lost in Yonkers' and 'Last of the Red Hot Lovers', both Neil Simons' plays. This is Fred's first time directing at Harbour Theatre.

Mel and Edna live in one of those prosaic newly built apartment houses that have grown all over New York's East side. Life is fine until Mel is made redundant and begins a battle against New York - the pollution, nosey neighbours, barking dogs and the paper, even the thin walls of their apartment. When they are burgled and Mel's psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of their money, Mel has a nervous breakdown. Edna joins the work force to keep their heads above water, only to find things are no different for her and she starts the same battles as Mel with the added pressure of keeping Mel away from the balcony and the neighbours.

On their recovery we come to esteem them more highly, for they have the resilience and determination to survive. Only Neil Simon could write such an outrageous comedy and keep audiences laughing out loud over such contemporary issues. If you need a really good laugh, come and see 'The Prisoner of Second Avenue'.