Steadman breathes life into Alan Bennett flop

An Alan Bennett play that was a flop when premiered in London 28 years ago is coming back as a hit with Alison Steadman.

She appears with David Troughton in Enjoy - the story of an ageing couple in Leeds who are being observed by a sociologist.

The play, which opened last month at the Theatre Royal, Bath, was revived by director Christopher Luscombe and proved a resounding success with one newspaper calling it a "joyous production".

Steadman, 62, said it was originally over-written but was ahead of its time in both its surrealism and its subject.

"The whole thing about being observed by somebody who doesn't speak and makes notes is well ahead of its time," the Abigail's Party star said.

Enjoy will run at the Gielgud Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue from 27 January until 2 May next year. Tickets go on sale today.