The Wharf Theatre’s first production of the New Year, How The Other Half Loves, is a clever, funny and beautifully crafted farce.

The story juggles time and space to present the entwined lives and loves of three married couples in the play by Alan Ayckbourn.

Two living rooms are shown in the single set, and share a common dining room which takes on a character of its own as each of the adulterous parties hosts a dinner simultaneously on two different nights.

Then the third couple show up to put the fat in the fire, but that complication only adds to the fun.

Ill-informed mischievous gossip inevitably leads to a matrimonial mix-up, shouting matches and even blows at what should have been an enjoyable evening.

As relations between partners deteriorate, matters become more confused and only the truth can restore order to chaos in this hilarious play.

Director Martin Elson said: “Directing was inevitably a challenge with lots of entrances and exits, often complicated plots and hopefully, a lot of laughs.

“This is one of the earliest and funniest plays that Ayckbourn wrote and it has been a joy to direct.

“I hope audiences enjoy it as much as we have.”

The show opens on January 30 and runs until February 7.