Read Lisa Burns's review of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which played at The Lowry Theatre in Salford.

We all tend to wonder what the future will be like when we reach pensionable age.

I think most of us would like to spend our twilight years enjoying ourselves, in good health, surrounded by friends and family.

This is exactly what a bunch of pensioners discover as they embark on an adventure of a lifetime as they move to India hoping to spend their final years in a hotel, with good food, good weather and good company.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sees a mismatch of British pensioners make the journey from cold, grey England to Bangalore, India.

The play, on stage at The Lowry recently, gathered a plethora of well-known actors who add a touch of glamour and warmth to the witty script.

Hayley Mills, Paul Nicholas and Rula Lenska are joined by a strong supporting cast which delivers on all fronts.

Owners of the hotel Mrs Kapoor, played by Rekha John-Cheriyan, and her son Sonny, played by Nishad More, are struggling to make ends meet after the death of Mrs Kapoor’s husband.

They decide to open their premises to pensioners from Britain after learning that care homes there are full and councils need to find somewhere for the pensioners to go.

The group of older folks move in and quickly discover the joys of living in India. They make friends with some younger people who work at a call centre and they teach them how to talk to their British clients on the phones so they can make more sales.

This joyful play certainly warms the heart, especially on a cold November evening, and the actors are superb in their roles.

Rula Lenska was particularly outstanding as the feisty Madge who says what she likes and takes no nonsense from anyone. Eileen Battye as Jean is also very quick-witted.

The play is set on stage in the crumbling hotel and you quickly immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the retirement community in India.

The whole production is uplifting, funny and entertaining. It had the audience laughing and was certainly a night to remember.   

Images by Johan Persson