AN exciting new international co-production of Things I Know to be True is currently showing at the Lowry.

Written by Australian Andrew Bovell, it gives an opportunity for British Company, Frantic Assembly, to work with the State Theatre Company of South Australia.

It uses physical theatre to create a compelling tale of an Australian marriage seen through the eyes of four grown-up siblings sometimes with background music and almost ballet-like movements creating an effect.

When their family flee the nest, Bob and Fran think they can relax and enjoy the roses. Nothing of the sort. Before they know it the kids are back and squabbling as never before.

The parents are played by Ewan Stewart and Imogen Stubbs. They prove why they are both held in such esteem by the acting profession. They sum up the relationship of a couple who have been married a long time and know each other inside out. Or do they? It isn’t until quite near the end that we discover that Fran dislikes the iceberg roses Bob has nurtured since being made redundant from a car factory. She has kept other secrets from him, too.

Stewart also illustrates well the relationship between Bob and his favourite youngest daughter Rosie who has recently returned disillusioned from a gap year in Europe. Kirsty Oswald fills the role of Rosie well. All she wants is her freedom.

Because of the difference in age between Rosie and her older siblings, she is regarded as something of an outsider.

The boys – Mark and Ben played by Matthew Barker and Richard Mylan - are not what they seem and have totally different personalities.

The result is a family at war. The other girl Pip, played by Natalie Casey, also has issues and it is down to Fran to try and keep the peace. Yet, we know that, deep down, the family love one other.

Each actor has a chance to shine when they give soliloquies of almost Shakespearean proportions. Unfortunately, there is just too much passion as one after the other confess their problems before a tragic ending.

The mundane activity of simply washing up or other such tasks would have introduced normality to their lives making a refreshing contrast to their problems.

Whether the characters live in Adelaide or Manchester, all families share common problems.

* Things I know to be True is at the Lowry until November 12. For tickets, telephone 0843 208 6000 or visit the Lowry website. Star rating: * * *