The lot of the modern woman is, we are told, as challenging as ever. While it is true that opportunities have never been more equal (with some way still to go), the corollary is increased expectations, with the need to be an all-singing, all-dancing, multi-tasking 21st century female becoming something of a tyranny. Although, not being female, I've probably got this all wrong.

In any case, someone who knows plenty about being successful is the BAFTA-winning writer Karin Young. Picking up her gong for some of Emmerdale's more electrifying storylines, Young has now turned her pen to the plight of the modern woman and whether her protagonist, Lorna, should go with the flow or become one of The Awkward Squad.

Lorna's plate is full, having spent three decades working to support others and their causes, and finding herself something of a local hero in the process, but now, more than anything, she wants to do some things for herself. Her granddaughter, however, has other ideas.

The Awkward Squad stars Barbara Marten as Lorna, familiar to television audiences from roles in Casualty, Coronation Street and the recent BBC drama Public Enemies. Marten is joined by Charlie Hardwick (winner of the 1998 Best Actress award at the Monte Carlo International Television Festival), Libby Davison (The Bill, Hollyoaks) and Lisa McGrillis, who has theatre credits including Much Ado About Nothing and The Globe Mysteries at Shakespeare's Globe.

The Awkward Squad premieres at The Customs House in South Shields from 18th February to 3rd March before the London run kicks off at the Arts Theatre on 6th March. The West End production runs until 7th April, with a press night on 8th March. After London, the tour continues at the Theatre Royal in York from 10th to 13th April.

We have tickets available now for the West End run, priced from £15 for Circle Slips (benches), rising to £29.50 for the best stalls seats.