This tale of upstanding Yorkshire folk discovering a surprising secret offers a gentle comedy with hints of a darker underbelly.
J B Priestley’s play focuses on three couples who have risen through the social ranks jointly celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, having all been married on the same day in 1883 – or were they?
When an upstart southerner breezes in with questionable intensions and a bombshell letter from the presiding parson, the couples begin to question their choices – and futures – as a parade of townsfolk come to play havoc.
It’s a light comedy with some smart dialogue and plenty of chances to ham it up for laughs, which the large cast seldom pass up, with Giles Conneely as stingy and dulll Councillor Albert Parker, Dawn Brindle as bossy Clara Soppitt, and Jamie Willimott as the excitable Alderman Jospeh Helliwell leading the facial gymnastics.
Not to be outdone is Kevin Oelrichs as an increasing inebriated photographer – and occasional truth teller – who stumbles and swigs delightfully, whereas Laura Green and Les Roberts as put upon partners mostly play things straight, with some great comic impact.
The script pokes fun at traditional Yorkshire attitudes in a way that now seems clichéd, and the attitudes to matrimonial permanence are perhaps also a little passé, but the humour still survives. We see glimpses of wasted lives: a missed love affair, too much time darning socks, or giving in to a dominant partner, but they never overwhelm the fundamentally light-hearted feel.
Cassie Tillet’s direction mostly plays it safe. I could have done with a bit more pace in places, but keeping things simple enables Priestley’s wordplay and gently ribbing comedy to come to the fore.
- When We Were Married continues at Sewell Barn Theatre, Norwich until 25 July 2026, tickets £12-13.