Secretly Pleased is one of Square Peg Productions’ site-specific plays bringing to our attention some of the North’s unsung female heroines.

In this case, the star is Alice Longstaff, Hebden Bridge photographer, whose life spanned much of the 20th century.

But don’t expect a lecture and dry facts.This is a fascinating drama between Alice and her husband John. While it is packed with accurate historical references to people, places and events, it effortlessly explores the quietly intense interdependency between Alice and her husband John..

With John’s help, Alice kept one of Hebden Bridge’s longest-running businesses, a photographic studio that captured most of the town’s quietly significant moments, such as births, marriages, sporting success and family pets.

Whatever the accuracy of the depicted relationship, and there were murmurings of recognition the day I saw the show, the on-stage dynamic is believable and enthralling.

Alexandra Mathie is uncannily Alice from my memory of the woman herself, with grey hair, tweed skirt and sensible shoes, all neatly worn. She’s dynamic, humourous, fierce – a fine example of homegrown Hebden Bridge female spirit! Robert Garrett, as John, is comical and serious in equal measure, brooding and insecure, but aware that his lot was to thrive in the shadow of Alice and bustling Hebden Bridge society rather than the mining communities of his birth further north.The writing is touching and intelligent, littered with delightful turns of phrase that bring the precise Alice and irascible John to life. Not bad from writer Anna Carlisle who’s an Australian offcumden!

And all this staged in John Williams’ moody and magnificent Land Farm Gardens, half a mile up the valley from the Longstaffs’ former home. I recommend you see the show – even if you saw it last year as I did. And don’t worry if it’s raining: the show goes on, moved indoors to the stylish upstairs gallery.

Secretly Pleased continues this Saturday and Sunday (26 and 27 July) at Land Farm.

The performance starts at 2pm but get there at 1.30 for complimentary tea and scones. For tickets and further information, phone 01422 844901