Anarchy rules when two cash-strapped housewives seize upon a riot at their local supermarket to pinch a load of provisions.

Panic, however, sets in when a couple of clueless cops arrive at their block of flats to start a search.

They hide the evidence by stuffing the ill-gotten gains under their coats and pretending to be pregnant.

Bizarre? Ridiculous? Yes, on both counts.

But that is the beginning of 'They Don't Pay? We Won't Pay!' - the Partington Players production that's currently wowing audiences at Glossop's Henry Street theatre.

The comedy cum farce was penned in the 1970s by Italian playwrite Dario Fo and later adapted by Deborah McAndrew. 

It mirrored Italy's economic and political problems of the age and 50 years on is still as fresh and relevant today.

To be perfectly honest, much of the comedy is blatantly bizarre, some of it pure pantomime. But it's funny and Partington's accomplished cast wring every ounce of humour out of it.

Playing the pivotal role in the 'supermarket sweep' and in the play itself is hard-bitten housewife Anthea, played by Linda McAlinden.

Desperately poor and weeks behind with her rent and electricity and gas bills, she blames the government and 'the rich' for her plight.

So when the opportunity to steal food and other provisions arises, she involves her younger neighbour Maggie, played by Olena Shevtsova, as a co-accomplice.

Lynda, very much a Partington veteran, comes up with another dominant role as the obvious head of the family.

It's a wordy part that demands a vigorous and concentrated involvement and Linda is first class.

Olena is equally convincing as the much younger woman, drawn into the groceries theft and like Anthea, keen to keep the theft secret from her husband.

Olena graduated from the Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts in Ukraine last year and moved to Glossop in July because of the Russian agression against her country.

Olena joined Partingon Youth Theatre and, despite English being her second language, gives a word perfect performance and is an integral part of the play's success.

Superbly slipping into the role of Anthea's hard pressed husband Jack is Shaun Hennessy, who has been acting professionally since 1993.

As honest as the day is long and a strong trades unionist, Jack is shocked by his wife's dishonesty but comes around after a meal of bird seed broth and dog food. 

A compelling performance from Shaun who is making his Partington debut.

Another experienced actor making his Partington debut is Maggie's husband in the play Lewis, played by Phil McGough.

Lewis is Jack's much younger best friend and seems slightly in awe of him.

There's some magical moments between the two, with Phil also having a major say in the show's success.

If there was an award for the show's busiest and funniest actor, it would surely go to Jess Napthine-Hodginson, who plays the comedic roles of a police constable and sergeant, Scottish undertaker and grandfather 'Paps'. 

Vince Bowers directs and the production's six evenings run ends on Saturday.

Ticket details are on the Partington Players website.

Since the play touches on issues surrounding food poverty, the Partington Players have decided to collect donations for Glossopdale Foodbank at each night’s performance. 

If you’d like to bring a tin or other shelf-stable item, there will be a basket just inside the theatre entrance at the box office table. All items will be donated to the food bank at the end of the performance run.  

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper