People - Altrincham Garrick

ALAN Bennett make us question the way we as a country handle our heritage in this sparkling, thought provoking and very classy comedy.

Dorothy and June Stacpoole live in a decaying stately home in south Yorkshire and the place has become nothing more than a financial millstone around their necks.

The siblings are very different. Dorothy, a former model, pines for her former life of glamour and good times. June, on the other hand, is every inch the quintessential English clergywoman, with the stereotype even extending to her sensible skirt.

June wants to sell the house to the National Trust, much to the disgust of Dorothy, who is outraged at the prospect of them and their home being turned into objects of curiosity, the type of curiosity usually reserved for museum pieces.

As Dorothy and June, Celia Bonner and Melanie Davy are an unadulterated delight and there’s nothing to choose between them and real life sisters.

Janet Slade may be a petite lady but when it comes to comedy roles she’s a huge talent and displays her considerable talents yet again as Dorothy’s “companion” Iris. In this role she’s an absolute hoot.

When Dorothy meets an old flame they hatch a cunning plan to provide what she believes will save her and her sister having to sell their country pile.

Now I won’t spoil things for anyone who hasn’t seen this play. But rest assured, this production is a high water mark for the Garrick and the dynamic young director Joseph Meighan.

Once again, he and the Garrick have struck gold. Fabulously funny.

Until February 23. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ***** Photo by Vish Sharma.