There was a distinctly festive air at the Playhouse for this gala evening celebrating the life and work of Sylvia Plath who, had she not died so tragically young, would have been enjoying her 75th birthday. But though Plath's life contained dark sadnesses, it also produced work of stunning genius that shines as brightly now as ever. The show that had been put together cleverly represented this chiaroscuro, with its variety, breadth and understanding.

It was a multi-media event in every sense of the word. A stunning animation film The Girl Who Would Be God, by Suzie Hanna, was an excellent view into the thoughts of the young Plath, while the poet's radio play, Three Women, written after her own experience of childbirth, was performed movingly and with tremendous grace by Diana Quick, Lynn Farleigh and Federlay Holmes. Natalia Thorn delighted the audience with choreographer Kate Flatts dance piece inspired by the Poppy poems.

Music was a feature of the evening, with a beautiful piece specially composed by Will May, entitled The Night Dances, thrillingly sung by Laura Mayhew. A very different and rousing piece came later in the first act when the divine Rose Heiney unleashed her Lady Lazarus Cabaret. One of many show-stopping moments was the eloquent and beautiful Plath Lullaby written and performed by Jack Harris on his acoustic guitar.

Intermingled with these delights the readings of Plath's poems by Julian Glover, Oliver Cotton, Tom Hollander and Susannah Harker were outstandingly good. Well, what else would you expect from such high-profile actors! They really brought the work off the page and into life. The evening was put together seamlessly, no mean feat when you consider all the different elements involved.

The profits form the gala are being donated to the White Ribbon Alliance, a group which promotes safe motherhood in parts of the world where women's lives are needlessly lost through lack of proper resources. A more suitable cause for these particular funds to go to I cannot imagine.