Abi Morgan’s beautiful play, Lovesong, opens at Ilkley Playhouse’s Wharfeside this Thursday.

This perfectly pitched piece is an ode to a long marriage in all its phases, great passions and great heart aches.

There are four actors in this play who between them play just two roles – the older and younger versions of Billy (Ned Sproston and Paul Chewins) and Maggie (Nikki Ford and Geraldine Woodhouse). But the beauty of this play is that there is no moment when the older couple take over the reins, rather the quartet all inhabit the same space, mingling, reflecting, finishing each other’s sentences and drawing together all the threads that have made up the many years they’ve lived together.

Performed on a very simple and sparse set, there are white walls on to which a range of mesmerising back projections are played – cave-paintings, murmurations of starlings and clouds drifting across blue skies. All of these add to the ethereal nature of this play, as does the stunningly choreographed dance. These four actors move sensuously and intimately over the stage, elevating the deep emotions of the life events which bring joy or diminish it.

The marriage experienced by Billy and Maggie does not evolve in the way that they had both hoped and dreamed and they cleave to each other for salvation, at times like survivors of a shipwreck. Having moved from Britain to the States, their expectations of the American Dream are not met and friction between the couple is made evident through Billy’s drinking, Maggie’s temptations and the frustrations that they both suffer.

What makes this such compelling viewing however, is not the spats or issues they encounter, but rather the enduring nature of their love. To have acknowledged the heartaches inherent in a long marriage seems far more realistic and truthful than for there to be one big fight that ends it all. This indeed is the human condition in all its shades – a far more colourful palette than one which carries only rose-pink and black.

The performances by these four talented and experienced actors are stunning. Nikki Mason is coquettish, wilfull and sensuous – especially in the dance; Geraldine Woodhouse is passionate, strained and powerful, with some of the most agonising scenes to perform. The men reveal a spectrum of emotions – Ned Sproston alternating ardour with agony, delight with depression whilst Paul Chewins embodies determination, devotion and despair.

Also directed by Paul Chewins, with immense sensitivity and emotion, this is a special play and one which will stir powerful feelings in anyone who has experienced even a bit of what life can throw at you. Blissfully, after what will be just a brief, stirring and uplifting moment in the theatre, you are sent out into the still bright light of day.

Lovesong plays in the Wharfeside from Thursday until Saturday 15th July. Book tickets by calling 01943 609539 or on line @ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk