Just a couple of dozen people were in the audience. But the four young actresses who took on a variety of characters – mothers, wives, girlfriends and sisters – performed the show with aplomb.

Some of the stories were funny, others involving the death of a loved one were 'lump in the throat' moments.

One mother told the story of how she had urged her son not to take up an offer of playing football for a major club because his 'shelf life' would only be about 18 months.

She urged him to go into the Army and have a career. He was killed just 18 months after he joined the armed forces.

Another mother lost her daughter in a bomb blast and spoke of the moment she realised the death being reported on the television was that of her child.

These were tales of ordinary women whose lives have been touched by tragedy.

The piece was written by Steve Gilroy and presented by Live Theatre & The Empty Space.

It was one of the most moving nights out at the theatre that I've experienced in years.