When We Are Married

This was an outstanding production of J B Priestley`s evergreen comedy, with a talented cast that shone throughout the  proceedings.

Ian Humphries, was resonant as the brash, Alderman  Joseph Helliwell, and his wife Maria, was  played  beautifully by Anne Palmer. Trevor Chambers was outstandingly bullish as Councillor Albert Parker, with a wonderfully assured performance by Sue Cope as his wife Annie. Together with Paul Makinson, a most convincingly unassuming Herbert Soppitt, and his overbearing wife Clara, perfectly played by Jo Russell, the three couples had gathered to celebrate their respective Silver Wedding Anniversaries. The celebrations come to an abrupt halt when they find that the legality of their marriages were questionable,  and the turmoil that ensues on the well designed and beautifully dressed set, was perfectly portrayed.

Catherine Baker was superb as Ruby Birtle the flighty maid, and Gary Heap gave  a confident portrayal as Gerald Forbes the chapel organist. A comic cameo by Sue Kirkland as Mrs Northrop,  along with Richard Kirkland as the permanently drunk photographer, Henry Ormonroyd, had the audience  suitably entertained.  Eleanor Fields as Nancy Holmes, with Peter Stevenson, the Rev. Clement Mercer, and Rachel Buxton as saucy Lottie Grady played their roles with equal confidence. The whole cast maintained excellent `Yorkshire` characterisations throughout.   

All Lynne`s hard work has paid dividends with this quality production.

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