IT’S spring 1973, in a flat filled with books and decorated with the orange wallpaper so characteristic of the decade, when a woman in a long dress comes home to her curmudgeonly husband, to tell him she isn’t dying after all.

This is the opening of In Praise of Love, by Terence Rattigan, at the Ustinov Studio in Bath, directed by Jonathan Church. And what makes this production so extraordinary is that the irascible writer Sebastian Cruttwell is played by Robert Lindsay, and his long-suffering wife Lydia is played by Tara Fitzgerald.

Lindsay is widely known for television comedy such as Citizen Smith and My Family, but he has also enjoyed a phenomenal and wide-ranging stage career. Fitzgerald’s breakout role was in Sir Peter Hall’s television production of The Camomile Lawn, and she took the lead roles in acclaimed series such as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Jane Eyre. More recently, she has played Selyse Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

Within the narrow confines of the Ustinov Studio, in a naturalistic set lovingly heaped with the furnishings, technology and knick-knacks of the era, the audience seems only a hair’s breadth away from being in the room with them, in the intimate setting of this crowded home where a couple of long familiarity grumble at the end of the day.

The pivot of the story is Lydia Crutwell’s illness, and the way it affects her relationships with her husband, her best friend (and long-time admirer) Mark, and her 20-year-old son Joey. As the play unfolds, our perception of her situation and our understanding of Sebastian’s responses begin to alter. Our first impressions must be rethought in an ending of such poignancy, audience members left in tears.

It is a hard play to categorise, with moments of genuine comedy alongside times of almost painful emotional intensity. Certain concerns, such as the political conflict between generations and the plight of refugees, give this period piece a surprising contemporary resonance.

Lindsay and Fitzgerald inhabit their roles entirely. Fitzgerald adopts an Estonian accent, and while I have no idea whether it was accurate, it was consistent. Her Lydia is strong, insightful, playful and even whimsical. She charms us all, making the final revelations about her past even more shocking. Lindsay absolutely masters the role of Sebastian, revealing complexities and conflicts within the character with the subtlest changes of tone and expression, casting light on a personality of much greater sensitivity than we might first have assumed.

Supporting actors Julian Wadham (Downton Abbey, Foyle’s War) and Christopher Bonwell (Siffre and Love and Mercy) were also exceptional. Wadham has something of a challenge playing Mark, as the role is written seemingly to provide a third party audience to the husband and wife, and is not as fully realised as the other characters. Nonetheless, he does an excellent job.

Bonwell is completely convincing as the conflicted son Joey, yearning for his father’s approval and rebelling against his selfishness and what he sees as his hypocritical politics.

From start to finish, In Praise of Love was an absolute pleasure to watch. Rattigan’s writing is good but brought to life by a cast of such talented and confident actors, this production is much more than good – it’s unforgettable.

In Praise of Love runs at the Ustinov in Bath till November 3. Many of the performances are already sold out. Tickets are £38.50 with a £1.50 booking fee, concessions available. To book, call 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk.