THE black comedy Just Between Ourselves seemed a sombre way to launch a season of plays by this county's most respected of playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn.

Depression is no joke but the audience at the Royal & Derngate saw the funny side and empathised with Vera, Pam, Dennis and Neil who had found that life had proved profoundly disappointing.

Each showed their frustrations in different ways but at the heart of this bitter-sweet tragi-comedy was Dennis, a man who escaped the humdrum of a tedious marriage by spending his time, like his father before him, tinkering in the garage.

There aren't many places men can go to run away from their lives but the garage and greenhouse have always proved popular options.

Outwardly Dennis appears an optimist. He's a bit of a joker and one of those insufferable bores who has an opinion about everything and claims to be an expert at most things – from fixing the kettle to mending marriages.

In truth it's all a front for someone unable to cope with real life. He has a lot to say – on every subject – but he is ill-equipped to cope with his wife Vera as she slides into catatonic depression, doesn't acknowledge his part in her downfall, and has no understanding of human emotions and frailties.

Into the scenario walks young couple Neil and Pam who come to buy a clapped out Mini from Dennis but end up staying as friends.

Over the course of a year in 1976 we see the two couples as they struggle to keep their marriages alive through one domestic crisis after another.

It's not as bleak as it sounds. There are moments that are pure farce – as the nervous and clumsy Vera causes chaos at a birthday tea and when a bilious Pam comes to grips with a hapless Dennis in the front seat of the Mini.

But with the comedy comes a certain amount of guilt that we're laughing at the mental demise of a woman sapped of her confidence and self-esteem by her oblivious and domineering husband and his overbearing mother, Marjorie, who lives with them.

The cast – Dorothy Atkinson (Vera), Lucy Briers (Pam), Matthew Cottle (Neil), Marlene Sidaway (Marjorie) and Kim Wall as Dennis find lightness in the darkest moments and – just between ourselves (and Mr Ayckbourn, who was sitting in the audience watching the drama) – I think the Royal has a bit of a hit on their hands.

Just Between Ourselves runs until June 13. The Ayckbourn season continues with Private Fears in Public Places (June 22-July 11) and Man of the Moment (July 27 to August 13).

For tickets and information contact the box office 01604 624811 or go online www.royalandderngate.co.uk