Ross and Rachel - Lauriston Studio

ONE lady in the audience she was in tears by the time Fiona Primrose was bowing to the audience at the end of the evening.

While this deeply unusual piece of theatre didn’t have me reaching for my handkerchief, it certainly takes us on an emotional journey.

Ross and Rachel isn’t a case of love hurts. More a case of it should come with a Government health warning.

This engrossing single hander may be inspired by the off and on romance of their namesakes from the TV show Friends, but that’s where the comparisons well and truly end.

If you turn up to the Lauriston expect a night of cosy camaraderie and witty jokes that were a hallmark of the hugely popular 90’s sitcom, you’ll be disappointed.

This is an evening of raw emotion, from jealousy to devotion or rather taking devotion to whole new depths.

Fiona Primrose plays both characters and her gender swapping is as effortless as it is engaging. While in character she has a few sips of wine but she certainly deserves a glass or two of the real thing afterwards for putting so much into roles that are anything but carbon copies of their small screen namesakes.

How frustrating then, for both her and her director Carole Carr, for there to be just 12 of us in Altrincham Garrick’s fabulous little studio space on Wednesday night to watch a play she’s evidently nurtured with so much love and care.

But I’ve often found that to be the case as a reviewer, with certain people shying away from plays and shows they’re not quite sure of.

Ross and Rachel is very different, absorbing to the point of being hypnotic and well worth the ticket money.

Enjoy this piece of top quality, brilliantly acted theatre.

Until May 22. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ****

Photo - Martin Ogden