Gertrude was one of nine people whose lives the audience glimpsed in an interesting set of monologues by Benedick West.

Unlike the characters in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, who have 30 minutes to tell their story, these were allotted about ten, with the result that some were merely caricatures while others were sketchily drawn and in need of more colouring.

Although the characters were diverse there was a common binding thread - loneliness.

Ten year old Emily, with parents who appeared to have little time to share with her, naively sought friendship through the internet, oblivious to the danger involved.

Gertrude, who was sensitively performed by Prunella Scales, was an abused wife trapped in a dead marriage which she stayed in for her daughter's sake.

There were characters whose stories provided laughter but had sadness behind them.

As Maureen's talk of her new relationship unravelled it switched from an idyllic romance that we were led to believe to a case of serious stalking while Tina, one of life's no-hopers, descended from chirpiness to utter despair.

There were good performances from all the cast, including director Andrew Loudon, who took over one of the parts at the performance I attended.