"A domestic comedy, of the slice of life order illustrating the revolt of the younger generation against the older…….. clever but hard study of rather disagreeable provincial folk" that’s how the Censors report of 1916 described this now world famous Mancunian play.

This is the first time that the Royal Exchange has attempted to stage the Harold Brighouse classic play ‘Hobsons Choice’, and after last night's performance I sincerely hope it is not the last. Put quite simply, ‘it was brilliant’.

The script and direction of the play were sharp; the performances were witty, moving and damn right tremendous. Hobsons Choice is a play about family relationships which could easily be transposed into the living rooms and high street businesses of Levenshulme.

The central figure, Henry Horatio Hobson (featuring Trevor Peacock of Vicar of Dimbleby fame) is the dominant Father & Widower who is the proud owner of a Salford boot making shop. His once loyal and doting daughters decide it is time to break the shackles of being married to the family business and find the first but not necessary the most suitable male’s that will wed them.

The ring leader of this quest is Henry Hobsons Eldest daughter Maggie, played by Joanna Riding who excellently portrays Maggie as a powerful, feisty women that wears the britches in both the family and the boot making business. Maggie has made men tremble at the knees and succumb to her forceful demands into an art form.

One of these men is Willie Mossop (Cold Feet Star and Salford Lad John Thomson), the talented boot maker and timid working class lad. Miss Maggie forcefully informs Willie that he shall marry her and so the story develops themes of marriage between classes, Father disapproval, family breakdown and the rags to riches episode of Willie Mossop the Bookmaker to Willie Mossop the successful business partner.

It was Joanna Riding (Performing Miss Maggie) and John Thomson (Willie Mossop) that undoubtedly stole the show. Joanna Riding was so effective as the powerful dragon of a woman that she had me trembling in my seat, the glimmers of compassion, wit and humanity in her role prevented me from making a dash for the door.

John Thomson was simply made for the role of Willie Mossop. The talented working class Salford lad displaying innocent cheek, charm & humour with a strong and domineering wife to help him better himself. The homecoming of Hobsons Choice would make the Eccles born play write Harold Brighouse proud."
Mike Amesbury