THE INTRODUCTION to the evening was in the style of a music hall with an Andrew Sachs-esque notice to turn off phones and have a sing-song.

The curtains opened to an Edwardian sitting room set, beautifully decorated, furnished and dressed, which got a well-deserved round of applause from the audience.

I wasn’t sure whether I liked the play or not, as something was bothering me. I realised that this was a definite period piece and must be viewed as such. After that I warmed to the play and enjoyed the acting.

Everyone’s interpretation of their character seemed to fit perfectly (credit to the director Robin Martin) and the play was a pleasure to watch.

There wasn’t a weak link in the cast and the three main couples – played by Ian Wilkinson and Debbie Parks, Anthony Calverts and Wendy Todd, and Mike Ellison and Julia Roberts – played their parts brilliantly.

They bounced off one another in their couples, and were entertaining as their single-sex groups. I especially liked the three ladies in Act Two, with their comical conversation.

From the ‘modern’ man Richard Gardner, to the hired help (a lovely comedy turn from Lorraine Taylor-Parker), the lady visitor here to cause problems (Brenda Moon) to the Reverend ready to help out (Robert Lister) – all came together to make a play that the original ‘Keighley Little Theatre’ 67 years ago would have been proud of.

Philip Smith