"The Late Mrs Early" by Norman Robbins.

Burton Joyce Players.

Burton Joyce & Bulcote Village Hall.

This is another play that I'd not heard of or seen before. Terry Early's announcement that he and Susan intend to marry rouses the fury of his overbearing mother Alice. Alice's sudden demise, following her handling of a faulty electric kettle, and telling him that he can get engaged to Susan over her dead body, promises a peaceful solution. But Alice as a vengeful ghost is even more formidable than as a living wife and mother.

Set in Castleford, Derbyshire in 1972 in the living room of the terraced council house of the Early family.

Terry Early is played by Lennon Marr, an actor, like several in this production, who is a new name to me. An ex Carlton Le Willows student and this is his first adult role, in which he shows a natural confidence, something that I am sure will stand him in good stead for any future acting roles. Male actors are in great demand in every drama group, and to find one with a natural feel for being on stage will mean that he will be welcomed into any theatre group.

Susan Rickworth, Terry's intended one, is played by Isabelle Williams, like Lennon a new name to me, and also like Lennon a very natural performer.

Mabel Sutton is the neighbour no one wants but actually needs, and is played by Kathy Matthews, one of the regulars in the Burton Joyce Players. This role is a beauty, and I am sure that everybody who has seen this play this week will know someone exactly like Mabel. A real character driven role, the sort that Kathy delivers so perfectly and so wittily.

Sam Early is just a normal Northern bloke; the sort that likes to relax after work with a pint or two with his neighbour and read the daily papers. Sam is heavily under the thumb and possible has to borrow a pair of trousers to wear from his wife, when she allows him to wear them. As Alice says, there's only one boss in their household, and we all know who that is! Alistair Dobb is Sam Early who thinks that all his whippets have come home when his terror of a wife keels over in the kitchen, but that is only just the start of his nightmares. Alistair is a lovely character actor and this Northern character is a real treat to see.

Alice Early is played by Avril McCormack, an actor I've enjoyed watching on several occasions. Playing Alice, both alive and dead, is great fun to watch, and I loved all of the Northern sayings written into the script by Robbins, all of which bring the character alive - or not as the case may be!

Joe Gittings, the other neighbour, is played by Richard Hesk. Every good Northern bloke needs his mate and drinking partner and that is Joe's role. So under the thumb is Sam that he has to arrange a couple of pints with Joe like a secret military operation, and when he discovers that Mabel has snuck into their kitchen and overheard what the plan was, and is threatening to tell Alice their plans, he stoops as low as to bribe her, which of course she accepts. Loved the drunken scene with Richard and Alistair when they come back from the pub, celebrating the passing of Alice.

Reuben Rickworth, Susan's father, is played by Greg Nicholas and Lucy Rickworth, Susan's mother, is played by Rebecca Kent. Two lovely roles that provide some brilliant comedy moments, especially in the latter part of the play when Sam is trying to get Terry and Susan's engagement back on even keel.

It's so nice to see so much fresh talent on stage as well.

Directed by Patrick McDonough. I've had the pleasure of seeing several plays that Patrick has directed and he manages to get the pace and comedy elements all in the right place, as he does with this little gem of a comedy. Great casting decisions as well. Patrick is assisted by Deborah Craddock, who is also no stranger to directing a successful play or seven.

The set design, as you can see in the photos attached has a lovely 1970's floral wallpaper design, fireplace, comfy looking sofa and a family table and trio of chairs at the table. There are two doors facing the audience, one leading to the kitchen and back door entrance (all hidden of course), and the other leads to the upstairs and the front entrance. A window allows the outside lighting to shine in.

Sound is by Chris Mercer and Deborah Craddock and well executed, as is the lighting design by David Matthews and Steve Armstrong. The sound of the archetypal brass band used for the scene changes was a lovely touch as well.

There are two scenes per act which showed the deftness of the stage management team headed up by Molly Fitches, assisted by Lilly Musson.

Lovely use of props, sourced by Patrick McDonough, and so pleased to see actual drinks poured from teapots. The era the play is set in has obviously been well observed with the style of the props for ornaments and dressings.

It's been a busy week and Saturday night, which was the final performance of this play, was the only time that I could get, but I'm pleased that I was able to see this spooktacularly funny play.