RICHARD and Judy just about manage it. Bruce Forsyth and Anthea cracked under the strain.

Showbiz coupledom is not always that easy yet a local husband and wife team seem to have got the balance right.

Peter Allen is directing the latest production for Waterside Theatre Company in which his wife Julia Allen has the leading role.

The show is a raunchy comedy Key for Two, written by John Chapman and Dave Freeman.

Peter, who has been a member of Waterside for 34 years says: "Julia and I both agreed before the auditions that she would only get the part if she was right for it and better than the competition. Fortunately for both of us, she was. I have only directed her once before in a short one act play - I swore then I'd never do it again!"

Harriet, played by Julia, is a divorcee, who decides to solve her financial problems by entertaining two married gentlemen callers on different days of the week.

The scheme faces collapse when her friend, Anne (Helen Jones), whose marriage is on the rocks, arrives at Harriet's flat hotly pursued by her husband.

With one of Harriet's lovers in bed with a sprained ankle and the second turning up unexpectedly, chaos ensues.

Peter and Julia, who have been married for 16 years and met through acting in a comedy, believe they have the balance right when it comes to living and performing together.

" Whilst we give each other encouragement it's important that my 'director's' thoughts are shared with the whole cast and not just Julia," says Peter.

"There are times when we may seek each others advice and there are also times when we try to give each other suggestions that haven't been asked for! None of it is taken too seriously though - after all, we do drama for pleasure, it's not our livelihood." Waterside Theatre, Holbury. Thursday to Saturday October 23. Performances: 7.30pm. Tickets: £6. Box office: 023 8084 1533 or on the door on performance nights.