ALTRINCHAM Little Theatre starts its new season on a sad note with the death of their long term set and lighting designer Barry Swithenbank.

He left a valuable legacy having designed the sets for the year and devised a spectacular lighting effect for the current production.

Alan Ayckbourn’s play, Neighbourhood Watch, just released for amateurs, sets an amusing start.

For the self satisfied middle class residents from Blueberry Hill it’s a case of ‘us’ and ‘them’

The ‘them’ are the adjoining council estate which the Bluebell Hill residents believe to be a hot bed of yob behaviour.

This view is reinforced when, soon after middle aged brother and sister, Martin and Hilda, move in, their garden is invaded by an interloper presumably from the estate.

Thus a harmless house warming leads to the setting up of a neighbourhood watch scheme from hell.

Mark Rowlands’ Martin transforms from dull evangelist to aggressive crime fighter whilst the straight laced Hilda is played outstandingly well with perfect timing by Victoria Johnson.

I like Hannah Davies’s sexy Amy, the local trollop with the pony tail who even manages to seduce Martin.

Meg Cooper is good as local gossip, and busy body, Dorothy. She is appointed Watch Marketing and Press Officer because she worked for 15 years on The Messenger – responsible for small ads!

The play’s only poignant scene, led by Jacinta Russell as Magda Bradley, is heart breaking.

* Until October 4. For tickets call 0161 928 1113 or email ct.tickets@gmail.com

Star rating: ****