Written in 1938, When We Are Married is one of J B Priestley’s best. This production is funnier than most and it has more of Priestley’s sarcastic bite than most.

Ian Brown’s direction is inspired and in the programme he describes the play as ‘An Inspector Calls with jokes’. Even though the play is now 70 years old, this production is as fresh as it probably was when first performed in the 1930s.

To be a servant in When We Are Married and particularly in this production must be tremendous fun. Eileen O’Brien as Mrs Northrop, the drunken housekeeper, is gloriously acerbic, puncturing the pomposity around her. Playing the young maid Ruby is Jodie McNee (niece of comedian Les Dennis) who is gloriously cheeky and skittishly sexy. She questions everything!

There are also some excellent performances by the six actors playing the three couples. Polly Hemingway’s concentrated malevolence as Clara Soppitt and Gabrielle Lloyd’s meek, but never subservient, intelligence as Annie Parker stand out among the three couples, but Tricia Kelly, Graham Turner, Paul Bown and Les Dennis all give convincing, amusing and well judged performances.

As the play progresses, Alderman Helliwell’s house also witnesses the drunken disintegration of the Yorkshire Argus photographer, Henry Ormonroyd, superbly played by Tom Georgeson, and the disturbing revelations of his former inamorata, Lottie Grady played by Julie Higginson.

David Inskip reviews The Night of the Iguana at Ilkley Playhouse April 25.

A challenging play in a challenging season. We were denied the chance to applaud the wonderfully detailed set on curtain up because we walked straight onto the veranda of a sultry and seamy Mexican hotel.

Maxine, the owner, played to perfection by Ellen Shorrock has her eye on Shannon, as do several others on the bus load of female Baptists he is conducting. Shannon, played with flaky attractiveness by James Kingsley, can't take the pressure which is why he has traded leading congregations for leading tours. Shannon and Maxine are wrestling the fantastic with the realistic. She wants to introduce the first bidet to Texas; he is trying to persuade his Bishop that, although a near defrocked philanderer who has to be straitjacketed in a hammock for his own safety, he is fit for holy duties. Neither of them recognises the cool realism of New Englander Hannah, but it is she whose bond with Shannon makes for the most moving axis of the play.

Geraldine Woodhouse’s portrayal of Hannah was flawlessly rehearsed, immaculately timed and presented with great tenderness for the plight of Shannon, her own dotty granddad and the iguana, all of whom found merciful release after each had reached the end of their tether.

Grandad’s poetic interjections from behind the shutters were a delight and raised many appreciative chuckles from the audience.

This is a funny play with lots of witty asides, on the whole well handled, but, like the hammock, you did get the feeling that one or two nuts needed tightening up.

Is this hotel a bit like Fawlty Towers ? It has useless but jolly, Hispanic staff and a troupe of German guests. They were all comedic and well acted.

Miss Fellowes was played with bustling aplomb by Chrisee Platt. Amy Linnegan, as Charlotte, showed an impressive naïve wilyness in a group of minor, but nevertheless strong supporting characters. Technically, it’s a great show with marvellous lighting, sound and that great set. It has a fine cast which includes inspiring performances.