Stewart and Michelle.

I’ve known both Stewart Permutt and Michelle Collins for years. Stewart is a playwright – a sort of London Jewish Alan Bennett. Like Bennett, Stewart has a gift for funny and waspish dialogue. And his tales can also take unexpected turns into darkness and tragedy. He’s particularly good at writing for women, which is why the likes of Celia Imrie, Maureen Lipman and Miriam Margolyes have been only too happy to appear at very small theatres for very little money to bring Stewart’s words to life. Last night in his latest play – A Dark Night in Dalston, it was Michelle’s turn. Right up close on a tiny stage, she was brilliant. Brilliant because of Stewart, and his play was brilliant because of her. Michelle Collins has never had a hit record but Judy Collins has. This one is perfect because Stewart’s work always looks at life from both sides now.