HARVEY tells the tale of a dreamer whose choice of best friend sends all who know him hopping mad.

The title character of Mary Chase’s light-hearted play is a six-foot rabbit, visible only to the eccentric Elwood P Dowd.

The classic 1950 film adaptation starring James Stewart became a much-loved Hollywood hit, and Newport Playgoers delivered their own spin on the charming tale.

Bumbling bachelor Elwood introduces the seemingly-imaginary Harvey to everyone he meets, much to the embarrassment of his respectable middle-class American family.

The fine line between madness and reality blurs as social-climbing sister Veta tries to have him committed to a sanatorium, with farcical results.

As the gentle comedy unravels across four acts, other characters start disappearing down the rabbit hole and say they see Harvey too.

Paul Cotton's Elwood was almost as good as Mr Stewart himself and as the hysterical Veta, Clare Drewett's barmy breakdowns drew titters from the audience.

The play won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, beating the likes of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie.

This good-willed production showed there will always be an audience for Elwood and Harvey's upbeat, dreamlike world view.

The show is at Newport’s Dolman Theatre until Saturday, January 21. 

Declan Harte