Henry Hobson owns a successful bootmaker's shop in 19th-century Salford. But he has a weakness ... his local pub, and relies on his daughters to run the business.

When he refuses to allow his girls to marry, his eldest daughter Maggie rebels and sets her sights on Will Mossop, Hobson's star bootmaker.

Lincoln's Common Ground Theatre Company will be presenting Hobson's Choice – a comic tale by Harold Brighouse – on February 23-25 at Lincoln Drill Hall.

Set in 1880, a time before women's liberation was even thought of, Hobson's Choice shows how Victorian men relied on their women and gives a hint of how the established order of things would be challenged and eventually changed over the course of the next 50 years.

Director Su Toogood says: "I always like to direct a play with challenges for both actors and director, which will give an audience both an enjoyable time in the theatre as well as something to think about afterwards.

"Hobson's Choice has 12 characters, all with their own agendas. For example, Hobson is determined to dominate his family and staff, his daughters wish to settle their own futures, while a local gentlewoman likes to interfere in other people's lives.

"The comedy in the play comes through the characters as much as the situations in which they find themselves and the company has had a most enjoyable time preparing this production. If we're still laughing after five months of preparation, then we know the audience will have a great time watching this play."

Common Ground is a voluntary theatre group based in Lincoln and has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Hobson's Choice will be the company's 22nd show.

Hobson's Choice at Lincoln Drill Hall on Thursday, February 23, and Friday, February 24 (7.30pm) and on Saturday, February 25 (2pm). Tickets: £9 (£7 concs). Box office: 01522 873894, www.lincolndrillhall.com