A MASTERPIECE of modern theatre is performed by Bingley Little Theatre next month. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was written by American playwright Edward Albee as an exploration of the complexities of marriage.

The play was described by the Washington Post as deliciously toxic and acidly funny.

A spokesman said: “The emotive issues raised are as relevant now as they were when it was written over 55 years ago. Ferociously funny and emotionally raw, this is a compelling rollercoaster ride into the darkest depths of love and marriage.”

Late one evening, after a university faculty party, an American middle-aged married couple Martha and George, invite a young professor and his wife, Nick and Honey, back to their home for drinks, drawing them unwittingly into their bitter and frustrated relationship.

What follows is an explosive, tension-filled, wickedly-entertaining battle of the sexes. We watch as Martha and George tear themselves apart with their toxic verbal games which climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling.

The cast includes Katrina Wood who regularly performs with societies across the region, including Keighley Playhouse, Ilkley Playhouse and Guiseley Amateurs. Caroline Auty is also well-known for her roles with local groups including Bradford Catholic Players and Keighley Playhouse.

The cast also includes Damien O’Keeffe, head of acting at SLP College in Garforth, Leeds, and a freelance education officer with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Damien acts and directs regularly with Ilkley Playhouse, most recently at the helm of Wind in the Willows, and appeared in Blue Stockings which transferred to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall last summer.

James Willstrop lives in Harrogate and enjoys a successful sports career as a professional squash player: he was world number one in the PSA World Series rankings in 2012 and a gold medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. While preparing for his role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? James is having to take time out of rehearsals to play in the British National Squash Championships in Nottingham.

The director is Deborah Mouat, who directed A Christmas Carol recently Keighley Playhouse and regularly leads productions for both societies.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opens on Monday, March 2 and runs until Saturday, March 7 at Bingley Arts Centre, at 7.30pm.

Call 01274 567983 or visit bingleyartscentre.co.uk to book tickets.