I Was A Wife, The Dukes, Lancaster.

I Was A Wife is the first play in the innovative Kick Start programme at The Dukes encouraged and directed by Kendal-born Joe Sumsion.

The play is Polly Lister’s view of her marriage from ‘will you marry me’ right through to a break up and ultimate divorce. This first play by Polly, performed with love and emotion in a one woman – and many voices – plays in the intimate theatre space of The Round. The play is set in a busy theatre dressing room and Polly takes us on the journey of her journey of her marriage, planning a large and, of course, theatrical wedding while travelling and working as an actress at the Theatre by The Lake, The Dukes and theatres around the country.

Polly sets about this with pace and power; it is intimate, funny and sad. It is very theatrical – of course it is; Polly is an actress. She is in your face, funny; as well as vulnerable. She also has a great singing voice.

Why has this happened? Why has it all gone wrong? Why doesn’t he return my calls? What? Divorce! Why?

This is an excellent first play by Polly Lister and for The Dukes. It is not perfect, the first half does need some more work but the second half grabbed the audience by the scruff of the neck and ended with a well-deserved standing ovation - and Polly in tears.

Congratulations to Polly, director Joe Sumsion, the Dukes for its Kick Start programme and the workshop audiences that encouraged the development of I Was A Wife.

Denis McGeary

I Was A Wife runs until February 6.

Box office 01524-598500.