BINGLEY Little Theatre’s 72nd season continues with a production of American classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

Edward Albee’s best known drama opened on Broadway in October 1962 and won the Tony award for Best Play the following year. It was also selected for the 1963 Pullitzer Prize. The 1966 Oscar-winning film starred Elizabeth Taylor, in a tour-de-force performance, with Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis.

Described by the Washington Post as “deliciously toxic, acidly funny” Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is considered a masterpiece of modern theatre. Ferociously funny and emotionally raw, it’s a compelling rollercoaster ride into the darkest depths of love and marriage.

Late one evening, after a university faculty party, middle-aged married couple Martha and George invite a young professor and his wife, Nick and Honey, back to their home for drinks, drawing them unwittingly into their bitter and frustrated relationship. What follows is an explosive, tension-filled, wickedly entertaining battle of the sexes.

The audience watches helplessly as Martha and George tear themselves apart with their toxic verbal games, climaxing in a moment of devastating truth-telling.

Dirctor Deborah Mouat says:“Although many people will have heard of or seen the film, the play is less about a drunken marital fight and more about the state of the 1950s American dream. It is interesting to note that the characters of George and Martha are thought to be named after George and Martha Washington, making them symbolic of America as a whole. I believe that, in the play, George and Martha care deeply for each other, but events have turned their marriage into a nasty battle between two disenchanted, cynical enemies.”

Taking on the iconic role of Martha is Katrina Wood who last year impressed BLT audiences with her portrayal of Florence Foster Jenkins in Glorious, a role she took on at short notice. She had little over two weeks to learn all the dialogue and songs - including one in German. Katrina regularly appears with other societies, including Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society, Keighley Playhouse and Ilkley Playhouse.

Head of Acting at SLP College in Garforth and a freelance education officer with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Damien O’Keeffe plays George. Damien acts and directs regularly with Ilkley Playhouse and he will be making his BLT directorial debut with this summer’s end of season production, One Man, Two Guvnors.

James Willstrop, who plays Nick, is a professional squash player and, as a youngster, won European and World junior titles. He is taking time out of rehearsals to play in the British National Squash Championships. Playing Honey is Caroline Auty, who last appeared with BLT a year ago in Stringer’s Last Stand.

* Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wool runs at Bingley Arts Centre from March 2-7. Call (01274) 567983 or visit bingleyartscentre.co.uk