BROUGHTON Players went back to their roots at the Playhouse Theatre last week, with a revival of Stanley Houghton's gentle Northern comedy Hindle Wakes (writes GARY THOMAS).

Set around the August Bank Holiday of 1912, the play presented a wry view of small-town morality.

Two families - the rich mill-owning Jeffcotes and poor mill workers the Hawthorns - face the repercussions of an illicit affair between Alan Jeffcote and Fanny Hawthorn.

Should Alan make an honest woman of Fanny? Or should he abandon her for his rich fiancee Beatrice?

While not over-flowing with one-liners, directed by Shirley Southern, Hindle Wakes is an affectionate portrait of a bygone era.

But while the staging and performances were as impressive as ever from the company, in a way the play itself let the actors down.

With only one focus for the plot - how to make Alan and Fanny marry - the story gave the cast little to work with.

Michael Hurley as Nat Jeffcote made the most of his pivotal role, and despite having relatively little time on stage, Diana Lowe delivered a captivating performance as Fanny.

The Broughton Players next appear at the Playhouse from April 30 to May 3 when they present an exciting new version of the classic horror story Dracula.

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