Say Who You Are - Altrincham Little Theatre

TAKE a bow Polina Sparks, Alan Reidsma and Steve Smith.

It’s not often I begin a review by praising a production’s design team and sound and lighting man. But between them they’ve worked miracles on ALT’s compact stage, by creating four acting areas that include a working phone box.

Does anyone remember them? We’re in the days before mobiles here, the swinging 60’s in fact.

But it’s not only the creative team who are challenged here, in this intelligent and grown up comedy from Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall.

When Sarah (Jane Newman) suspects her pompous husband David (Alex Clarke) is having an affair she decides to take her revenge in the most bizarre way imaginable. It involves another couple, Stuart (Mark Edgar) and Valerie (Bev Stuart Cole) and all the actors display a flawless comic timing as the plot becomes increasingly outlandish.

But the writing is so good and the cast so accomplished you buy into it. Director Gary Woodhall deserves considerable praise for bringing the best out of a cast who display an effortless comic chemistry.

This is a comedy very much of its time, affairs raise few eyebrows these days, with some couples wearing them as badges of honour.

It also for me had elements of farce, with Sarah’s penchant for jumping to conclusions leading her to take some drastic action involving a pair of scissors and her husband’s wardrobe.

Great fun and who doesn’t need a laugh, in these barmy days of Brexit? Highly reccommended.

Until May 25. The box office is on 0161 928 1113. Star rating - ****