FOLLOWING its production of Veronica’s Room last season, Altrincham Little Theatre is presenting another sinister play.

This season’s starter, Snake in the Grass, by Alan Ayckbourn, is almost as dark as Veronica’s Room and refers to murder, blackmail, child abuse and incest. Not your typical Ayckbourn.

The scary scenes are offset with ripples of humour but this play will keep you on your toes. You never know what will happen next.

On the death of her father, Anabel returns from Australia only to be informed by his ex- nurse, Alice, that her younger sister, Miriam, had unfairly dismissed her for macabre personal reasons. Alice ruthlessly blackmails them.

Miriam is forced to confess to an unforgivable crime and it transpires she is not as sweet and innocent as she appears.

Spooky events on the tennis court add to the effect and there is one heart stopping scene when someone appears to come back from the dead.

Cherryll Wyche’s rather mannish Anabel reveals that back home she suffered from an abusive relationship. Cherryll’s well timed description of this is unexpectedly moving.

Victoria Johnson is outstanding as put upon Miriam who has also suffered abuse. She skilfully changes her Miriam to a much harder character. I like the contrast between the sisters who ultimately seem to swap roles.

Lisa Barker’s performance as Alice, the threatening nurse, is sound.

The imaginative garden and tennis court set.is accompanied by skilled lighting, sound and special effects.

I wish I could have given this play, well directed by Carla Stokes, four and a half stars.

* Snake in the Grass is at Altrincham Little Theatre until Saturday, October 8. For tickets, telephone 0161 928 1113 or email ct.tickets@gmail.com.Star rating: * * * *