Vulgar, disgusting, shocking, nauseating, vile, obscene and degenerate are just come of the adjectives that were used by critics to describe Noel Coward’s Fallen Angels when it premiered in the mid-1920s.

In today’s more cynical age, the story of two ‘suburban sluts’ (as the outraged Daily Express described them) who get themselves in a drunken and overheated state at the prospect of the arrival of a former squeeze would struggle to create a murmur of disapproval.

Coward’s comedy is a light confection, which begins in the drawing room of Julia Sterroll (played by Jenny Seagrove) who tells her flabbergasted husband in a matter of fact way that, although she loves him, she is not in love with him.

Their contented married life offers few thrills, but that is all about to change with the flustered arrival of her childhood friend Jane Banbury (played breathlessly by Sara Crowe) who announces that Maurice, a Frenchman with whom they both had passionate affairs before they were married, has got in touch.

The women swear that whatever happens they will remain friends, then sit down to dinner to await their paramour’s arrival.

And as they do so the Champagne, begins to flow and flow... until they are barely able to stand, trip up regularly and fall backwards over furniture.

Various components of their supper fly across the floor and profiteroles become badminton balls, while the conversation becomes increasingly heated, both with passion and anger.

When Maurice finally arrives (with a slightly non-specific European accent, rather than a French one) the women are not quite the height of glamour and sophistication they had hoped.

Both actresses have a fine comic touch, play the drunk with aplomb and I can honestly say I have never laughed so much over a pineapple in my life.

However, while the two female leads are strong characters and well drawn, I was a little perplexed by that of the housekeeper Saunders.

Here was a woman who has worked in virtually every profession in every part of the world, so it was strange her character wasn’t developed further or become more central to the story.

Fallen Angels treads familiar Coward territory – the trials and tribulations of upper middle class married life – but I wouldn’t say it’s one of his best plays. While it’s certainly not on a par with Blithe Spirit or Private Lives, it’s still a fine piece of light entertainment and a good way to spend a rainy evening.