IN presenting Brian Clark’s play Whose Life is it Anyway? Altrincham Little Theatre give food for thought. For it’s about assisted suicide.

Ken, a former sculptor, his spine severed in a car crash, is now a hospitalised quadriplegic.

Gary Woodhall, plays him with sensitivity and understanding - even though he can only move from the neck up - not easy to keep up for two hours. His character appears cheerful enough and even jokes and flirts with his carers.

But, like a duck in water, he paddles below the surface as he struggles to find peace concluding that the only peace he’ll get will be in death.

I would even say that Gary’s performance is not just good but exceptional as he presents his thoughts to the audience.

There is no black or white solution to Ken’s dilemma. Whether or not to let him die at his own behest is a subject which, even today, causes divisions in law.

In this play, the wisdom of Solomon lies with Mrs Justice Millhouse (Kathy Russell) as the caring judge who brings her courtroom to Ken’s bedside. She delivers her verdict with compassion.

Other characters deserving mention are Robert Smith as Philip Hill, the patient’s solicitor, Charlie Welsh as the sweet natured Dr Scott and Ian Fensome as the consultant who takes the Hippocratic oath seriously. Among 13 characters there are no weak links.

* Until Saturday. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1113 or visit alttheatre.org. Star rating: ****