AS a mad, bad, stinking old woman, Susan Hampshire appears to have found her niche.

The actress, best known for more genteel roles in Vanity Fair, The Forsyte Saga and Monarch of the Glen, is, quite literally, the driving force behind Alan Bennett's The Lady in the Van.

The play hilariously and, at times, poignantly recreates the relationship between the playwright and a mysterious, mangy old lady who turns up on his street in a clapped-out van and ends up living in his back yard for 15 years.

Described by Bennett as a 'bigoted, blinkered, cantankerous, devious, unforgiving, self-centred, rank, rude, car-mad cow', Hampshire is all this and then some.

Whether stomping across the stage brandishing a fuel can to be filled, shouting orders from the flea-infested floor of the van or explaining her plans to become Prime Minister, she perfectly captures the character in all her energetic, barmy, illogical glory.

David Holt and Paul Digley respectively play the younger and older Alan Bennett - a clever device used to great effect.

Deadpan, gentle, witty and bemused, the actors are uncanny in their portrayals and prove an amusing, if surreal, double-act when addressing each other.

Antonia Pemberton is also impressive as the solid, sympathetic, senile, Mam.

While only making a brief appearance, she is beautifully observed, as are all characters.

The original van may have conked out years ago, but The Lady in the Van will run and run. The play continues tomorrow (Saturday) in the Festival Theatre. Nione Meakin.