Pronoun - Lauriston Studio at Altrincham Garrick

WHILE I’ve always hated prejudice in all its forms, Pronoun was a real education for me. This wonderful piece of writing, full of insight, honesty and humour, lays bare the challenges members of the trans community still face today.

However, at no point in the evening will you the audience feel like you’re being preached at, with writer Evan Placey telling the story in a way that is insightful, inspirational and completely free from cliches.

Director Peter Brassington must have thought all his birthdays had come at once when this cast turned up for the first rehearsal and he certain makes use of the talent at his disposal. This production is so good I simply didn’t it want to end.

Portia Dodds is outstanding as a female character desperate to right what she sees as a natural wrong and finally and irreversibly become Dean by having the surgery and complete her biologicaltransition from female to male.

James Dean was the coolest dude ever to grace a cinema screen and he appears in this gem of a play as a sort of agony uncle for Dean and while the late Hollywood heart throb will never be replaced, Sam Evans certainly gives a flavour of the Hollywood great.

It seems wrong singling out individual performances, as Charlotte Cosh, Liam Dodd, Teej Jackson, Rachel Jacquest and Bronte James also play a major part in creating a piece of theatre richly deserving of its standing ovation on opening night.

Pronoun is an amateur production only in name and I urge you not to miss this important and challenging play.

Suitable for over 14s only.

Until April 30. Star rating - *****

Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co,uk.