Runs until June 8. THIS is not one of Alan Ayckbourn's most acclaimed works, although it contains his hallmark ingredient of middle England marital trauma.

This production relies heavily on the audience's willingness to persevere with Ayckbourn's occasionally pedestrian script.

If it lacks anything, it is the crucial element of imagination in its original concept and direction.

For much of the first half I was willing the pace to speed up, but near the interval guest director Mark Chatterton contrives the funniest moment when bore Dennis played by Norman Mills warns his guests not to laugh at his wife Vera's (Sandra Maitland) clumsiness, then proceeds to double up in laughter himself at its first sign. Mills is the privot for most of the humour and Maitland plays his misunderstood and frustated wife to perfection.

One of the great comic advantages is that this play is set in 1976, so their clothes already make them look hideously funny.

Anne Rye, who has been regular at Bolton's Octagon, also turned in a fine comedy performance as Dennis's mother Marjorie. NICK JACKSON

ZSandra Maitland,Zright,Zand Anne Rye inZJust Between Ourselves.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.