It was Cockney accents all round as Going Straight came to Malvern Theatres.

Supposedly retired East End gangsters Mickey and Ray get together to recount stories of their colourful past in the Costa del Sol.

When enthusiastic young film researcher Polly visits Mickey's villa to do an interview, tensions, mistrust and anger are dredged up from his seedy past.

Real-life husband and wife John Alderton and Pauline Collins seemed at ease appearing on stage together for the first time in 20 years, while John's daughter Kate Alderton completed a faultless family effort.

Alderton was well cast as the smooth-talking beer swilling Mickey, while George Costigan, as his previous partner-in-crime Ray, coughed, limped and fretted his way round the stage with ease.

Pauline Collins appeared to revel in her role as Ray's acidic but honest wife Brenda, whose deadpan put-downs raised laughs from the audience.

Carol Royle, as Mickey's well-spoken wife Francine, completed the quintet.

With a clever plot and effortless acting, the play, by Richard Harris, starts slowly but works up to a tense, absorbing conclusion.

Performances run until tomorrow (Saturday) and take place at 8pm with a matinee tomorrow at 2.30pm. For tickets call 01684 892277.

Lindsay Holder