WHEN WE ARE MARRIED

St Paul’s (Astley Bridge) AODS

Bromley Cross Village Hall, Darwen Road

Until Saturday

JB Priestley’s comedy may have been written more than 75 years ago but the squabbles between man and wife remain the same today.

Three couples who are old friends come together in When We Are Married on what is meant to be a happy occasion – their 25th wedding anniversaries.

But be it henpecked or stingy husbands, unappreciated or bored wives, the revelation that they are not actually married reveals amusing cracks in their relationships.

Set in the Victorian era and the trio are shocked and appalled at the news, what would the neighbours say?

All the cast members put in strong performances in what is an old-fashioned but fun-loving Northern comedy.

With their social standing at stake, Alderman Joseph Halliwell, played by Ian Duckworth, and Councillor Albert Parker, played by Carl Bottomley, are perturbed while nagged Herbert Soppitt, played by Tim Shorten, amusingly finds his voice.

The ladies in their lives, Maria Halliwell, played by Eileen Powell, Clara Soppitt, played by Jenny Peters and Annie Parker, played by Jean Maden, also have their own views on the news, particularly Annie, who turns into an unlikely flirt.

Katie Ball is particularly strong and amusing as outspoken teenage housekeeper, Ruby Birtle, and gets the biggest laughs of the night.

Robert Peters, as alcohol-soaked photographer Henry Ormonroyd, and Linda Howarth, as the wickedly destructive housekeeper Mrs Northrop, are also entertaining in their supporting roles.

Everyone looked the part thanks to the costumes, spot on for the middle classes in the early 1900s, and the set was also well-designed.

When We Are Married runs until Saturday.