To open its new season, the Wick Theatre Company chose Brian Friel's study of five impoverished spinster sisters living in a remote part of Donegal during the summer of 1936.

With their parents dead, they struggle to eke out a living and each faces a future without hope of marrying. There is a close bond between them and a strong desire to survive.

The hardship and deprivation of their daily routine is lightened by the arrival of a radio into the house that prompts the return of dancing into their lives.

This memory play is seen through the eyes of Michael, the illegitimate son of the youngest sister.

The grown-up Michael acts as both the narrator and the voice of the boy during the action of the play that depicts events leading to the disintegration of the family. Although the play has been likened to Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, it differs in so much as Friel's heroines are more deserving of our sympathy.

Jan King's production was of the usual high standard.

The cast skilfully managed to bring out all the differing aspects of the play - its tender warmth and gentle humour along with its pathos and poignancy.

With so many fine and natural performances, it is a hard choice to single any out.

Those of Jane Richards and Ray Hopper were particularly impressive.

Review by Barrie Jerram, features@theargus.co.uk