Hobson's Choice (Manchester)

With star gazers left feeling disappointed at the lack of star quality in the West End, I am happy to report that Hobson's Choice has a cast who more than live up to their potential. Fans of award-winning musical star Joanna Riding and Cold Feet's John Thomson can rest easy. These two very different actors gel superbly and do far more than just sell tickets via their names alone.

Salford born Henry Hobson (Trevor Peacock) is a widower with three daughters who all work in his shoe shop. Hobson is too busy drinking in the Moonraker's Inn to realise how much he relies on the three ladies, especially matriarchal Maggie (Riding). After Henry announces that he intends to choose husbands for his two youngest daughters, sparks begin to fly. Maggie has a keen eye on starting up a business of her own. She sets her sights on the lowly boot maker, Willie Mossop (Thomson) to help her in her quest to break free.

Harold Brighouse's classic tale of a drunken father's good intentions, and his struggle to keep his three daughters in tow has been immortalised on stage and screen countless times. But, director Braham Murray manages to breathe life into an old classic. The pace of play is fast and furious for the first hour, which suits the quick fire humour. This then leaves the cast time to come into their own in the final scenes, where a more melancholy mood pervades.

Riding is an absolute joy to watch. She is not only a natural comedienne, but also manages to engage the audience’s sympathy despite her character’s flaws. Thomson also gives a fine performance. His puppy dog expressions gain plenty of laughs, and he matches Riding with his sheer enthusiasm.

Peacock sometimes fumbles his lines, but when he gets it right, he's superbly melancholic in his delivery as his character faces up to the fact that the women in his family rule the roost. Harri Earthy and Kirsten Parker offer solid support as the younger siblings.

The audience on the night I attended loved this delightfully old-fashioned play - even Johanna Bryant's multi-functional lifting set got a round of applause. I can't think of a better way for you to start the summer.

- Glenn Meads