Alan Ayckbourn is one of the most prolific dramatists of present times and the second most performed writer in subsidised theatre, just behind Shakespeare. But not all his plays are brilliant and Joking Apart is not one of his best.

A note in the programme, written by Ayckbourn himself, says happy couples in dramatic terms are very irritating and not a little boring.

Sadly this is how the characters in this play come over, especially in the first act. At the interval I felt I had never seen such a dull selection of characters. This is no criticism of the excellent cast, it is a criticism of the script.

The play takes place over 12 years and is set in the garden of Richard and Antheas house. The generous, successful and worldy hosts, played by Stephen Bennett and Linda Armstrong, entertain their neighbours on every conceivable occasion Bonfire Night, a tennis party, Boxing Day and their daughters 18th birthday party.

Mark Curry and Lynette McMorrough steal the show with their performances as a Finnish business colleague of the host and the dotty vicars wife from next door.

In the second act, Sven is suffering from heart trouble and feels so sorry for himself the audience cant fail to feel sorry for him.

Vicars wife Louise has gone peculiar and the new tablets she is on have made her smile at everyone and sing when she feels like it.

Glenda gives it her all and gets the best laughs of the evening. Her long-suffering husband is very well played by Graham Steed, known to Archers fans as Nigel Pargetter, a role he has been playing for 25 years.

Directed by Mark Piper, the first act could benefit from a quicker pace but the play definitely improves in the second act.