It is hard to describe Woman In Mind at the Chichester Festival Theatre. It’s a comedy, and from the pen of Alan Ayckbourn one-liners ripple through it, at times it borders on farce but the real core is that it is a tragedy.

Strongly directed by Anna Mackmin, it plots the slow breakdown of a woman’s mental health – superbly portrayed by Jenna Russell as Susan, an unhappy mother and wife whose hallucinations have created a perfect family only she can see.

In reality she is married to Andy (Marc Elliott, perfect for the role), a man of the church bemused by her deteriorating state. Even jovial village doctor Bill (the superb Matthew Cottle) can’t help Susan.

The play starts in Susan’s garden, where she is asleep. Bill wakes her and her imaginary family arrives – handsome wealthy husband Tony (Orlando James), pretty daughter Lucy (Flora Higgins) who she adores, and snobby brother Gerald (Nigel Lindsay) with Champagne. Happy Susan drinks her champers while discussing Lucy’s forthcoming wedding.

The moment is shattered when Andy, who she hates, walks into the garden asking who she is talking to. Susan descends into her own private madness as he announces his dreaded sister and terrible cook Muriel (Stephanie Jacob, a lovely comic turn) is staying and is making lunch, while he pours cheap wine. Also invited is Susan’s dysfunctional son Rick (Will Attenborough).

Ayckbourn’s brilliant juxtaposition of characters creates a funny but sinister plot as Susan drifts between her two families. The play turns to farce as both families invade the stage in a variety of costumes and do battle. Susan’s imaginary family give her a Champagne picnic, and later she and Tony make love in the garden, but her mind won’t let her win the battle.

Woman In Mind runs until October 15.

Sheila Checkley