PLENTY of laughs are expected next month as the Harlequin Theatre stages a famed farcical comedy.

J. B. Priestley’s When We Are Married will run at the theatre, in Queen Street, from Wednesday, December 6, to Saturday, December 9.

It is directed by Malcolm Barker, who has already brought a number of productions to large audiences – including Last Tango and Last Panto in Northwich, A Flea in Her Ear and It Runs in the Family.

He said: “If you enjoyed the previous plays, or just like to leave a theatre with a big smile on your face, then this is the play for you.

“J. B. Priestley is one of my favourite 20th century playwrights and his wicked sense of humour is certainly evident in this play, which is an Olivier Award winning best comedy play of 1986, and it continues to wow audiences.

“This comedy is one of those delightful ‘who's who of British theatre’ productions that doesn't put a foot wrong.”

Written in 1938, the play is set in Yorkshire in 1908, and follows three middle class couples in an age when public opinion rides above all considerations.

The three couples, old friends and all married on the same day in the same chapel, are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary when they discover from the chapel organist that they are not legally married.

Each couple reacts with horror, worried about what the neighbours might think, and find themselves re-evaluating their marriages.

The show starts at 7.45pm each evening, and the whole cast has worked in Malcolm’s shows before.

Tickets cost £10, or £9 for concessions, and are available to buy online at harlequinplayers.com or by calling 01606 246831.