The musical and theatrical versatility of one extremely talented family, spanning three generations, were showcased in Chasing Rainbows, a Space production at St John’s, Broadbridge Heath (6/7 May).

A ‘family entertainment’, Chasing Rainbows amply fulfilled expectations on two counts. Firstly, as idealised ‘home-spun’ entertainment (with echoes of the Victorian parlour), interspersing poem, song, anecdote, meditation, instrumentals and drama. Secondly, by celebrating the colourful kaleidoscope of family life - its joys, dramas and sorrows.

There was nothing Waltonesque about this celebration. A poignant biographical reference to a devastating family tragedy grounded the entertainment in reality, making its examination of love, loss and spiritual rebirth ultimately all the more uplifting.

Representing the senior generation of the family, James Ellis (well-known as PC Bert Lynch in Z-Cars) made a suitably wry and curmudgeonly patriarch, Adam, in a soliloquy reminiscing about Eden, written by real-life son, Hugo. Beth Ellis brought genuine pathos to the role of Eve and displayed her wide theatrical range in a Joyce Grenfell monologue and an excerpt from Chekhov. Daughter-in-law Rachel excelled on violin in Vaughan William’s idyllic ‘The Lark Ascending’. Grand daughters Charlotte and Katy demonstrated third generation flair with a dance for violin and cello, and piano duets.