The Royal & Derngate begins its summer-long celebration of Alan Ayckbourn’s 70th birthday with a superb revival of his 1977 success (though a limited one) Just Between Ourselves. Artistic triumph though the production undoubtedly is, however, one has to question the wisdom of marking so happy an occasion with such a very gloomy play, perhaps the bleakest of Sir Alan’s 72-strong oeuvre. That its four scenes take place on the birthdays of its five characters (two share one) might explain the decision.

The play is set in and around the garage of a suburban dwelling, home to a travel-worn old Mini and, for much of the time, to inept DIY fan Dennis (Kim Wall). What he is hiding from amid his chaos of tools is not at first clear when the nerdish and indecisive Neil (Matthew Cottle) calls to discuss buying the car for his sulky wife Pam (Lucy Briers). It soon becomes clear, though, that he is avoiding the battle for dominance – over each other and him – being waged in the house by his highly-strung and accident-prone wife Vera (Dorothy Atkinson) and his ghastly old trout of a mother Marjorie (Marlene Sidaway).

“The things my wife has caught with her elbow . . .” jokes the dreadful Dennis to his visitor, in an early allusion to the mental troubles with which Vera is beset – or, rather, to which she has been driven.

“You don’t get better – not with that,” gloats Marjorie, in a reference to Vera’s condition which we can see has been caused by her carping (and Dennis’s boorish lack of sympathy and understanding). Vera’s suffering is most chillingly illustrated at the appalling birthday tea party during which vicious Marjorie repeatedly upbraids “Ve” for failing to bake a cake for her beloved son.

The brilliantly acted play, directed by Mark Rosenblatt, continues until June 13 and is highly recommended. Ayckbourn’s Private Fears in Public Places (2004) and Man of the Moment (1988) follow. For information and tickets call 01604 624811 (www. royalandderngate.co.uk).

Christopher Gray