ULVERSTON Outsiders next dramatic offering will be Alan Ayckbourn's Woman in Mind.

Running at the Coronation Hall from Tuesday until Friday, November 19-22, Woman in Mind is a very funny and thought provoking play and regarded as one of Mr A's darker comedies.

First performed in Scarborough at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1985, it transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1986, starring Julia McKenzie as Susan, with Martin Jarvis as Gerald.

Starved of affection and love by her rather boring husband, Gerald, and her son Rick, who is ashamed of her, Susan conjures up an imaginary family: a loving husband Andy, an adoring daughter Lucy, and a brother Tony. She is happy and relaxed when she is with this imagined family.

The play is set in the small suburban garden of Gerald and Susan, but when she is with Andy, Lucy, and Tony, this rather dull space expands to become bright and lavish.

The action is all seen through Susan’s eyes - the audience sees what's in her mind. But gradually Susan loses control over her dream, which breaks down into a nightmare when her real and imaginary families clash.

Other characters who, as well as their own standing in the play, serve to show different aspects of Susan’s character, are Bill, the doctor who has had a long standing crush on Susan but is unable to express his feelings, and Muriel, Gerald’s long suffering sister.

Back in the directorial seat and putting the Ulverston Outsiders cast through their theatrical paces will be Jean Hunt, who directed the Outsider's acclaimed production of All My Sons.