UNLESS, a play adapted from a novel by the Canadian writer Carol Shields, looks inside the ordinary life of Reta Winters, a woman who has an extraordinary tale to tell.

The drama was written by the late novelist and her daughter, Sara Cassidy. It now visits the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Adapted from the novel of the same name, this tender, suspenseful production has its roots in Carol's journey to Scarborough to watch shows at the SJT during a visit to England from Canada in 2000.

As well as admiring the work of artistic director Alan Ayckbourn, Carol found the theatre captured her imagination. She accepted Sir Alan's invitation to write a play for the SJT, even though she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.

With the help of daughter Sara, Carol started reworking Unless into a play, but she succumbed to cancer in 2003 before she could see the project to the end.

Sara says: "Those weeks went by too quickly; I saw how my mother worked and realized how expertly she put words together for her readers. The work thoroughly occupied her; every morning, she was radiant with new ideas."

The play now reaches the stage, directed by Scarborough-born Timothy Sheader, in a run at the SJT from last night until May 7.

Sara will travel from Canada to see the show in its final week. "Carol would have been overjoyed to see her play come alive on Alan Ayckbourn's stage," she says.

Box office: 01723 370541.

Updated: 16:04 Thursday, April 07, 2005