I am not surprised that Holby City star George Irving was lured back to the stage after a nine-year break to play The Writer in The French Lieutenant's Woman, which held the audience spellbound at the Richmond Theatre on Monday.

The Writer wrestles with the task of unravelling the enigma of a mysterious woman, who spends much of her time staring out to sea wallowing in the torment of her lost love. She is spurned by a heartless Victorian society that will be equally quick to condemn her new love.

The audience is taken on a roller coaster ride containing a kaleidoscope of emotions in John Fowles' gripping novel, which originally had three separate endings!

Superb performances were given by Katy Odey, in the title role, and Anthony Howell, as Charles Smithson, who is captivated by her despite being engaged to Ernestina Freeman (Hannah Young). Odey, whose character is actually called Sarah Woodruff, and Anthony (best known as Paul Milner in Foyle's War), coped magnificently with demanding parts, ensuring that one of the great works of fiction transferred well to the British stage for the first time.

The French Lieutenant's Woman has been cleverly adapted for the stage by Mark Healy, but could still have lacked clarity had Odey and Howell not brought such conviction and credibility to their roles.

Excellent support was given by Hannah Young, Anne Kavanagh - deliciously evil as Sarah's cruel employer - Maimie McCoy, Sam Talbot and Jane Ridley (though she was slightly overshadowed), while Kate Saxon's direction and Libby Watson's design were spot on.

All jelled perfectly to make us actually believe we were in Lyme Regis as it was in 1867. It was theatre at its best.