It's grim up north, at least in the world of Rita, Sue and Bob Too, but somehow the show's cast shine a ray of light in the darkness on The Marlowe Theatre stage.

Andrea Dunbar’s unvarnished account of working class life on Bradford's Buttershaw council estate spawned the 1987 film of the same name that was dubbed 'Thatcher's Britain with her Knickers Down'.

The tale of two teenage babysitters Rita and Sue being groomed for sex by their employer Bob, has been brought to The Marlowe stage by production company Out of Joint and is infused with dark humour.

Whether it's Bob's contortionist efforts to find a "comfortable" position to have his wicked way with the giggling girls in the confines of his car, jeans half-mast, or double entendres, such as when Rita calls out 'Bob's taking us for a ride' as he gives the pair a lift home via the circuitous route of the Yorkshire Moors, the audience is in stitches.

Sue, played by Gemma Dobson, has an infectious laugh and cheeriness and despite spats with Rita (Alyce Liburd) for Bob's affections, their friendship survives.

It's a world where the lure of Bob's car and trappings of middle class life seem like a gilded existence compared to the monotony of factory work on the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) the girls are assigned to.

Rita's seduction is complete as she quits the scheme and packs her bags for Bob's, who by now is divorced from wife Michelle (Samantha Robinson). She marries her beau and has a daughter that she names Sue.

The show ends with David Walker, who plays Sue's dad, saying he hoped the cast had remained faithful to the spirit of the late Andrea Dunbar's semi-autobiographical account, while inviting the audience to grab a post-show drink and quiz the actors.

It's a compelling production from Out of Joint, whose aim is to "spark conversation" and in the #MeToo era there is certainly plenty to talk about.

Rita, Sue and Bob Too is at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury until Saturday, April 27.

To book tickets visit marlowetheatre.com or call the box office on 01227 787787.