By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Wednesday 10 December, opens 17 December and runs through 7 February 2026

What would you do if you found out on your silver wedding anniversary that you weren’t actually legally married 25 years ago?

• Read on for reasons including how this reminds of the best of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett and was an unexpected riot of a comedy

Such is the predicament facing not 1 but 3 couples in J.B. Priestley’s 1934 farce When We Are Married revived by director Tim Sheader (La Cage Aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), also artistic director of this intimate 251-seater venue.

Priestley, perhaps best known for writing An Inspector Calls, was no stranger to marriage, had been wed three times and was rumoured to have had a number of affairs including a serious relationship with the actress Peggy Ashcroft.

Written in 1934, it is set about thirty years earlier, and unravels as a photographer from the Yorkshire Gazette arrives to take a picture of the celebrating couples – including a councillor and alderman – as a letter throws doubt on proceedings.

The play opens with a song from maid Mrs Northrop, given a vivacious turn by Janice Connolly, who takes great delight in puncturing the pomposities of the middle class hypocrites she serves.

This revival is cast delightfully and each of the 3 couples is thrown into confusion by the news with Sophie Thompson (Present Laughter, Old Vic) especially funny and thought-provoking pulling the rug out from her ‘dreary, stingey’ councillor husband given a tremendous comic turn by Marc Wootton (Till The Stars Come Down, National Theatre).

Elsewhere henpecked Jim Howick grows a pair and his domineering partner Samantha Spiro (Lady Windermere’s Fan, Vaudeville Theatre) is shocked by his transformation.

It’s perhaps no surprise that the much-missed Patricia Routledge starred in an 80s revival of this play at London’s then Whitehall Theatre.

The tight writing reminds of Fawlty Towers in its precision and just when you think the alderman’s wife played by a majestic Siobhan Finneran can’t be more undermined Tori Allen-Martin (pictured centre below) arrives in her front room to cast doubt on the faithfulness of her husband.

Ron Cook (The Homecoming, Trafalgar Studios) is extremely memorable and laugh-out-loud funny in a minor role as the local newspaper snapper.

The naturalistic northern language of When We Are Married reminds of the best of Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett and was an unexpected riot of a comedy.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Donmar Warehouse Tickets
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