THERE’S a lot hidden under the surface in the first play of 2020 from Bingley Little Theatre.

Proof appears to be a straightforward family tale about Catherine, her smart New Yorker sister Claire, their brilliant mathematician father Robert and his protégé Hal.

It is in fact a multi-faceted story of sibling rivalry, gender ability, mental illness and trust.

Robert achieved revolutionary work in his field before the age of 30 but attempting to do maths in his mental illness revealed not brilliance but the tragic depths of his condition.

Catherine cared for her father during his illness and has lived in the shadow of his brilliance, struggling to balance her studies with her caring role and constantly fearful of having inherited his mental illness.

This challenging role is taken by Alice Smithson, who is back in Bingley having spent the summer in Vancouver appearing in Netflix shows.

Catherine’s relationship with Hal explores a theme of distrust and a subsequent maturing of their relationship. Chris Avery plays young Hal having played Michael Smithurst also in Party Piece alongside Glenn Boldy.

The final character is Claire, Catherine’s sister, freshly arrived from New York. They have a tense relationship as Claire has had little input into her father’s care and yet feels she can now be instrumental in dealing with the family home, and with Catherine.

The cast is made up of Glenn Boldy, Alice Smithson, Michael Smithurst and Anna Riley.

A spokesman said: “This rich, deep play, simultaneously funny and serious provides profound responses to some questions.”

Proof runs at Bingley Arts Centre from January 20-25 at 7.30pm. Visit ticketsource.co.uk/bingleyartscentre or call 01274 567982 to book tickets.