Review by Steve Bennett

This supermarket-set play is by women, for women, and seems designed as an exercise in female bonding rather than comedy.

It kicks off with three old friends bumping into each other while shopping and pronouncing in unison: 'Shite, shite, shite. Don't you just hate the fact that whenever you run into someone you know at the supermarket, you look like complete shite?' Talking in synch is clearly meant to convey the threesome's united thoughts, but quickly begins to grate, while the characters' subsequent monologues prove stilted and unoriginal.

All three women (Georgie, Marilyn and Jackie) have ended up in prison after committing various heinous crimes against their cheating, lying or downright nasty boyfriends.

Their gripes now include not being able to diet successfully, being left for a younger woman and having your kids take up all your time - between them, they confirm every stereotypical perception of older women. 'Ah well, there's always a cucumber and a copy of Heat,' one shrugs after a rant about loneliness and sexual desperation.

The 80 per cent female audience appear to relate to the topics rather than laughing at the jokes, while the narrative is based on the dubious chicklit premise that you can tell what someone is like by looking at the contents of their shopping trolley.

We are given insubstantial proof of this theory, introduced to the actresses, and asked to participate in a rather mundane 'stand up if you own/buy this particular shopping item' game. The crowd having all been asked for 'any spare shopping receipts' at the door, one receipt-owner then wins an alcoholic prize amid much friendly banter and laughter.

There's no denying that Aisle Of Life is a feel-good way to spend an hour, especially if you're a middle-aged woman. It's reassuring, good-natured and occasionally thought-provoking. It's just not very funny.

Review date: 1 Jan 2003
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett