JOANNA Trollope's best-selling novel has been skilfully adapted by David Taylor and features a well-respected cast whose faces will be familiar from TV programmes. This calibre of actor is more Judge John Deed and Midsomer Murders than Casualty and The Bill, and it's good to see them taking to the regional stage.

The play is a family portrait - the repercussions of a seemingly selfish act by one family member upon the lives of the others.

Respected Judge Guy, married for 40 years to Laura, announces that he's been having an affair for the past seven years and has decided to divorce his wife and marry 31-year-old Merrion. Instinctively, his two adult sons close ranks to protect their mother, the injured party, with Simon, the elder, agreeing to act as her solicitor against the wishes of his wife Carrie.

As the characters develop it becomes clear that nothing is black and white, and perhaps there is more to the situation than first meets the eye.

The characters are finely drawn by Adrian Lukis as Simon, Jeremy Clyde as Guy, Caroline Langrish as Carrie and Elizabeth Healey as Merrion. Young Mat Ruttle as Simon's son Jack is excellent, unbowed by such experienced colleagues. Jacqueline Clarke as Merrion's concerned mum Gwen, and Polly Adams as emotionally manipulative Laura, will strike a chord with every mother's son, and that's Joanna Trollope's forte - her characters have traits with which we can all identify.

Until Saturday. Box Office: 0870-905 5060.

Published: 01/03/2006