"The Clothes They Stood Up In" by Alan Bennett

Nottingham Playhouse.

I love Alan Bennett's plays, and this is one that I haven't seen before. And one play that I can now say that I have seen, adding to the selection of other beloved Bennett works.

"The Clothes They Stood Up In" tells the story of an older married couple, Maurice and Rosemary Ransome. They return from the opera one night only to find that they have been burgled. You often hear the people who have been burgled state "They took everything", in this instance the burglars literally did. Every bit of furniture is gone, every inch of carpet, every possession, every appliance, everything. They even took the light bulbs - bar one - and the toilet paper as well as the chicken casserole they had in the oven as well as the oven. Well, I suppose it's hungry work stripping a property of everything!

They try to unravel what has happened and without their worldly possessions, they are forced to examine their lives and their relationship and are confronted with some uncomfortable truths. Should they rebuild their old life, or begin afresh?

The mystery of what has happened is resolved over the course of the play and there is a clever resolution to the situation, after Rosemary returns a letter mistakenly popped through their letter box, addressed to a neighbour named Hanson. It is not just that though which forms the heart of the story. This Ransomes, we discover, have a very empty life, lacking real relationship and the loss of their worldly possessions opens up new opportunities for them.

Alan Bennett's novella has been adapted by Adrian Scarborough, who co stars in the play as Mr Ransome, and the play is directed by Nottingham Playhouse's Adam Penford and Jane Anderson.

Sophie Thompson plays Mrs Ransome and the chemistry between the stage husband and wife was so believable, which given the class and quality of these two actors is only to be expected. They bounce off of each other so well it seemed as if the audience were flies on the wall looking in on disturbed domesticity. Incredible performances.

Ned Costello (Constable/Croucher/Martin/Hanson) recently made his stage debut, but seeing the quartet of characters Ned plays, and the difference and quality of the performances, would not lead you to believe that this man is at the start of his professional acting career. From the fresh out of law enforcement college, slightly wet behind the ears constable attending the burglary and making sure every box is ticked nerdy PC, to the ripped, topless hunk of Hanson, Rosemary encounters to discover what really happened with the disappearance of their belongings, Ned is a talented character actor.

Charlie de Melo (Mr Anwar/Sarge/Nurse) shows a completely different side of his various acting skills here to those recently seen in his role of the recently deceased Imran Habeeb in Coronation Street. Some people often berate the acting of soap stars but Charlie shows that he can do comedy just as well as the more serious stuff. It was nice to see Kate Spencer, who plays Grace Vickers in the Street in the press enclosure supporting her fellow Street star.

Natasha Magigi (Lady/Dusty/Christine Thoseby/Cleo) is another wonderful character actor. Every role different to the previous. The Jamaican launderette woman, Dusty the crime counsellor, Christine the call centre worker with attitude and Cleo, Martin's lover. Wonderful human roles, so well written by Bennett.

Robin Jones' set design is wonderful with the Ransome's home emerging from the back of the stage, leaving the front section of the stage for all the other settings, the opera, the bus ride, the call centre, the corner shop, the exterior of the storage depot and the penultimate scene, which I am not going to tell you about. There is one change where the storage depot section, complete with the Ransome's home within, very quickly reverts back to the Ransome's actual home. the magic of stage management, scene moving and direction.

Jon Nicholls provides the music, which is mainly Mozart, blends so well with the storyline and while recognisable, never intrudes. The Sound Design is by Jon Nicholls and the Lighting by Aideen Malone.

It's witty, clever, very wry and quintessentially Alan Bennett, and is an absolute joy. Some people may view some of the characters slightly stereotypical but it was written by someone who is an observer of people and of a certain age, something I can enjoy, appreciate and not be offended by. Plus, I have a sense of humour which was developed before political correctness was invented.

It's not a long play, two and a half hours with interval, but packed with some great Bennett comedy, and just a touch of sadness at times. You'll find yourself having empathy for Rosemary but also loving the stoic of Maurice. You will also love the discovery of the secrets that are revealed on both sides. More than that I won't divulge; just go and see this wonderfully witty and warm play.

And just like Mary Berry's recipes, it just works.

"The Clothes They Stood Up In" is at the Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 1 October.