Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an amateur production at all. True, the ensemble of beginners had never performed in public before, but the direction was so liberating that it had the patina of an accomplished production from the first moment.

The Cornerstone Theatre Company was established at the beginning of this year by director and teacher Laura Howells-Green. The aim is to give adults with no stage experience a chance to give acting a go.

This first group are a diverse bunch, many with English as a second language. Under Howells-Green’s guidance, they bonded rapidly into an energetic and enthusiastic troupe, coining the motto “Yes, let’s...” as their way of working together.

There was one tell-tale mark of inexperience. In the first half, the actors were not projecting and it was hard to hear what was going on. Even then, the movement and the spirit of the production kept us engaged. Someone obviously said something in the interval and the short second half was altogether more audible in the Cornerstone’s attractive auditorium.

Craig Taylor’s play is a collection of quick sketches evoking the wry humour and sense of pathos that characterises much of the British way of life. We saw theatrical cloakroom attendants pilfering Polos from the pockets of West End stars, a father glumly trying to bring out the Corinthian spirit in a footballing son, and a carer in confused conversation with an old woman declining into dementia.

It was a repertoire of characters that gave full rein to the director’s goal of getting her novices to express themselves and play joyfully with ideas. The scene and character changes – all visible and elegantly choreographed – were slick and funny, giving a rhythm to the production worthy of a professional company.

Most of the cast are in demanding day jobs. Given the time they had to put the production together, this was an impressive debut. And it wasn’t all down to the professional direction – there is some genuine talent blossoming as they grow in confidence together.

We have not seen the last of this company. Another production will go into planning once the summer break is over. It will be fascinating to see how they build on this first flurry of success.