Lady in the Van arrives at Keighley Playhouse

Penned by Alan Bennett and directed by Robin Martin, it runs at the Devonshire Street venue from January 23 to 28.

A playhouse spokesperson said: "Fact is often stranger than fiction and this is the mostly true story of Miss Shepherd – an offbeat woman of uncertain origins and no fixed abode who unannounced rocked up in the front garden of Alan Bennett's London residency and made herself firmly at home.

"She ‘temporarily’ parked her broken-down van on his driveway, but ‘temporary’ turned into 15 years and an unlikely friendship grew between the playwright and the old woman.

"The Lady in the Van is as much about Alan Bennett – and his ambivalence – as it is about Miss Shepherd.

"Modified by the author from his autobiographical memoir, the story centres on their extraordinary relationship – which for Bennett was a source of intrigue, frustration and compassion.

"The Lady in the Van is funny, touching and surprisingly impressive."

Evening performances begin at 7.30pm.

Further information about the production and other playhouse events can be found at keighleyplayhouse.co.uk.

For tickets, call the box office on 07599 890769.