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There was always a danger the stage version of Noel Coward's classic would constantly be compared with the Celia Johnson / Trevor Howard film.
In the event it fell a long way short of the celluloid product.
The plot
Set in the late 1930s, housewife Laura's life is forever changed when Dr Alec Harvey removes a piece of grit from her eye.
Over the following weeks the pair fall in love. But it's a forbidden love since both are already married with children.
The verdict
Brief Encounter suffers from remaining in pre-World War Two years. It's a virtual recreation of the famous film and therefore is on a hiding to nothing.
While Richard Walsh (London's Burning's Sicknote) copes admirably as the doctor (coming across in a Donald Sinden style rather than Trevor Howard), Karen Drury (Brookside's Susannah Farnham) never seems too happy in the role.
Even at the curtain call there was a sense of her relief as she looked up at her sparring partner Walsh.
That's not to say Drury is bad. She is the centre piece of the production, in almost every scene. And you have to praise someone who has so many lines to learn.
But while she managed to convey that stiff upper lip middle class attitude there was a sense of unease.
The biggest problem was she seemed more relaxed when in conversation with her Times crossword loving husband than her potential lover.
You'd have thought she'd be on edge while at home trying to cover up her suspicious movements.
She also seemed tense in the opening part of the production, almost leaping in with her responses before her fellow actors had finished. Let's put it down to first night nerves.
The stage didn't help. At first you applauded the clever use of set. The refreshment room, where most of the action took place, took centre stage. Laura's home was elevated stage left.
The trouble was as the night progressed you started playing "guess which door Laura's going to come through next."
As with the film, the supporting cast were very much caricatures
Refreshment room boss Myrtle had clearly been watching Prunella Scales in Fawlty Towers while her assistant Beryl was a take-off of Ab Fab's Bubbles.
Events picked up in the second act, especially when Alec and Laura's potential relationship consummation is interrupted by a so-called friend.
You feel for Drury's character caught up in this whirlwind romance against her better judgement.
So while this production of Brief Encounter is not without its merits those behind it should have gambled more.
Maybe if they'd modernised it, taken a fresh look at the whole issue of relationships, it would have felt more satisfying.
Some might say you can't modernise Brief Encounter, but look what imaginative versions of Othello and Hamlet there have been.
As an historical piece the audience latched onto those jokey references to yesteryear - tea at 3d a cup, sugar cubes placed in your spoon - but overall, if you want to watch this story you'd be better off hiring the DVD.
2.5/5
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