NOEL Coward's 1925 play, Fallen Angels, was written three years before women over 21 were allowed to vote. At home a husband was the undisputed Head of the Household, whose views were paramount and who was not expected to remain 'in love' with his wife after several years of marriage. Double standards were rife.

The fact that wives actually require a little more attention than their spouses have been prepared to give is a notion that emerges only towards the end of the play.

Jessica Swale directs an excellent cast of six in this highly entertaining production. Designer Simon Kenny has created imaginative effects. A spacious room, with baby grand piano, is the setting for a gossipy, girlie weekend as Julia (Jackie Clune), is joined by her close friend and neighbour Jane (Carolyn Backhouse) while their husbands Fred (William Travis) and Willy (Callum Oates) are golfing at Chichester.

Startling news that suave Frenchman, Maurice (Gregory Finnegan) is in town, sets hearts a-flutter and unleashes recollections of his romantic role,in Pisa and Paris - where he enchanted (separately) Jane and Julia, when both were single.

Lucy Thackeray is splendid as the new maid, Saunders, who has worked for a Duke, knows about golf, and has a remarkable range of culinary, musical and linguistic accomplishments. She copes stoically with Jane and Julia, whose frenzy of anticipation at the prospect of reunion with Maurice prompts over-indulgence in alcohol and complete inebriation.

Hilarious antics precede the husbands' return, and sober reassessment of roles.

This runs at Salisbury Playhouse until October 3

stella taylor