THIS autumn the highly-acclaimed Northern Broadsides and York Theatre Royal join forces to stage a revival of JB Priestley’s much-loved and rarely toured classic comedy When We Are Married in the Round at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Set in 1908 in the town of Cleckleywyke in the West Riding, the play follows the fortunes of the Helliwells, the Parkers and the Soppitts, all highly-respected pillars of their community, but not for much longer.

Married on the same day in the same chapel, they gather to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The celebrations are short-lived when they discover the vicar wasn’t licensed and they are actually not married. In fact, they have been living in sin for 25 years.

First performed in 1938, JB Priestley’s heartily entertaining northern comedy plays right into the hands of the acclaimed Northern Broadsides.

When We Are Married is directed by Barrie Rutter whose previous directing credits include Northern Broadsides’ recent productions of The Merry Wives, the award-winning An August Bank Holiday Lark, We Are Three Sisters and Othello featuring Lenny Henry in the lead role.

Barrie Rutter said: “When We Are Married is the quintessential Yorkshire comedy with an absurd plot overflowing with authentic attitudes of the day; fun for the cast as well as the audience. Having wanted to stage this classic comedy for many years and also have the opportunity to once again co-produce with York Theatre Royal, I really can’t wait to get this wonderful new revival on the road.”

Rutter will be joined in the cast by, among others, Sue Devaney (Jane in Dinnerladies and Debbie Webster in Coronation Street), Steve Huison (Lomper in the hit British film The Full Monty, Eddie Windass in Coronation Street and PC Ray Wilson in Emmerdale), Kate Anthony (Pam Hobsworth in Coronation Street and Anything Goes, Sheffield Crucible Theatre) and Adrian Hood (Dinnerladies, the film Brassed Off and All Quiet on the Preston Front, BBC).

When We Are Married can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre until Saturday, with performances at 7.30pm today (Wednesday), Friday and Saturday, 1.30pm and 7pm on Thursday and 2.30pm on Saturday.

Tickets are priced from £10 to £24.50 and can be purchased at the box office on 01723 370541 or online at sjt.uk.com