"People" by Alan Bennett

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

So, we come to the end of the season, it doesn't seem that long ago since we were welcoming the new season, but they do say that time flies when you're having fun. This season closes on a cracker, Alan Bennett's "People", a play I've not seen before.

Lady Dorothy Stacpoole is fighting against plans by her younger sister June to donate the families once grand country estate, Stacpoole House, to the National Trust as they can no longer afford to maintain it. Lady Dorothy however has other ideas from selling it to a questionable commercial concern, possibly moving it to Dorset or perhaps Wiltshire, to renting it out to an old flame as a location for dubious films, both seeming more appealing than having people traipsing through the property.

Dorothy hates the idea of crowds tramping through her lifelong home, and hates the idea that it may be turned into a museum by the National Trust.

June is an ambitious archdeacon at the local cathedral, with one eye on the bishop's job. In Ralph Lumsden, the man from the National Trust, she senses a kindred spirit, and a possible step up.

The play opens with Dorothy and her companion Iris, sitting in clothes that had seen better days, in front of an old electric heater, living out of one room of the once splendid house. Dorothy shows a man, Bevan, around with the prospect of either an attic sale or buying the property lock, stock and barrel and relocating, brick by brick to a "better" part of the country. This was all supposed to be a secret from June, who discovers what Dorothy has been doing as she arrives just as he is leaving. And so the story begins.....

June (Carol Parkinson) reminds me just ever so slightly of a masculine Geraldine from The Vicar Of Dibley, with plenty of dashing around trying to secure the transfer to the National Trust. She is practical but isn’t really a people person and thinks men, including the Archbishop are useless.

Dorothy (Amanda Pearce) is a woman who has lost all zest for life. There is a glimmer of her old modelling days though when she takes a small part in the film that is being made at the place, and that zest reappears slightly, helped by an old flame, Theodore and Louise, the production assistant. Although not antisocial, she rarely ventures out and longs for hot water and central heating, or even an en-suite.

Iris (Hazel Salisbury) gets her fair share of Bennett's witty lines in a fine display of character acting by Hazel. And there's a twist revelation to come with Iris right at the end to look out for. She is quite child-like, especially with her honesty, and appears to be slightly on the dim side, but underneath that facade, she has lost none of her marbles.

Bevan (Chris Sims) is not quite as straight forward as he first sees, but then again, he is an estate agent. On his second visit there is a twist to Bevan which changes everything about his first visit. Complete with camel coat he floats the idea of selling the house to a mysterious organisation called "The Concern" who want to preserve the past but keep people out. But don't forget there is a twist!

Lumsden (Richard Fife) is the man from The National Trust and very business-like as he moves through the country pile, relating how the Trust can preserve everything, something that Dorothy is against as she lets him know of its faults, which only excites Lumsden even more.

Bishop (Jim Brooks) has just had a new pair of bifocals and is getting used to them, which is impairing his vision. Just as well, as he is shown around mid-way through the filming that is taking place! There is a Bennett nod to the "Carry On" films in this scene.

Theodore (Richard Young) is Dorothy's old flame who makes adult films. He charms her and gets what he needs - the location - and then sails out of her life as fast as he swept in.

Bruce (Fraser Wanless) is the "slightly" camp Mr Fix It within the film crew, who just seems to want to be in and out of there as soon as possible! He does however fix the heating and like things to be clean and tidy.

Louise (Liza Pybus) is the production assistant, who makes Dorothy feel cared for after many years of being a recluse. There is a lovely, and quite touching bit at the end where Louise returns to the house after it's been done up and gives Dorothy a little present. In return, Dorothy also presents her with a little something.

Nigel (Jack Leo) is the assistant film director who is on hand to help the film's star, Colin raise his game with a natural remedy.

Colin (Matthew Thomason) is the male star of the film but has issues rising to the occasion. The scenes which are being filmed in the play are done in the best possible taste, although you do get to see a little more of Matthew than you've possibly ever seen on stage before! The accent is great as well.

Brit (Evangelia Angelinou) is the Latvian female co-star of the film that is being made at the property, constantly mocking Colin's short comings.

A brilliant exhibition of ensemble acting.

Directed by Helen Sharp, this is a pacy and very witty presentation of a play that is not often seen. Don't know why, it's as good as anything else Mr Bennett has penned. There is a lovely comical scene regarding a room full of chamber pots, which we don't see, but the whole descriptiveness of that room is priceless.

Max Bromley's set design is definitely a visual feast. From the dilapidated and mouldy walls through to its rejuvenation of regal splendour, the set is a real beauty.

Lighting Design is by Hugh Philip and Sound Design by Jordan Gibb. Both areas perfectly executed.

There were a few prompts at the start of the play, one even coming from another on stage actor, but Bennett's plays can be wordy.

"People" will be at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 23 July.