CRANFORD ... a sleepy village typical of so many in England where nothing much happens — for everything, depending on how you look at life.

This is the essence of the play of the same name adapted by Martin Coleman from Mrs Gaskell's novel, and last week's production by the Wesley Players of Priory Church, Bedford.

All that separates Cranford from any other village today is the date of the play, 1830.

The small world built up by clique of gossiping women, with almost fanatical concern over etiquette, and a definite rebuff of anything even slightly risqué, has a familiar feeling still.

But as they say, there are exceptions to every rule. And the village women get into a frenzy when they hear

a certain titled lady is visiting Cranford only to to find that she is the complete opposite of what they expect — which completely upsets them until they realise it makes more sense to be naturally outright and honest than to put on a front.

This production, by Myrtle Newbury, was good to the extent of a cast performing well as typical village ladies of the period.

These were Vera Newbold, Barbara Noble, Joan Ames and Jose Fennell. Eileen Snell was particularly snobbish as the Hon. Mrs Jamieson, and Ruby Carter was a good, down-to-earth Scottish Lady Glenmire.

And well worth a mention are Gill Leesl as the new maid Martha, not yet "Broken in" and an embarrassment to all, and Stephen Pilling as Mr Hoggins, a jovial devil of a bachelor.

R.K.