ACTORS Bev Irwin-Taylor and Mike Taylor won't need to pretend to be in love when they take to the stage in the Repertory Theatre's latest production 84 Charing Cross Road.

The two met at the theatre on an earlier production and have been married for five years.

Mike, who has also directed some of Bev's plays, said working together made for some "interesting times".

"We both have strong views, and usually we're on the same plane but not always. It can be a quiet drive home after rehearsal some nights," he joked.

Showing now, 84 Charing Cross Rd, adapted by James Roose-Evans, is the true story of a long-distance romance between struggling irreverent New York writer, Helene Hanff and straight-laced London book store manager Frank Doel.

A love for literature brings them together and they start up a long pen friendship.

The play is a challenging one to perform as it's set on a split stage, one side a New York apartment and the other a London bookshop.

"You've got to train yourself not to look over the other side," Bev said.

"It's staged like a conversation, with Helene and Frank reading out the letters they send to one another."

84 Charing Cross Road

• Showing until Saturday, April 25
• For tickets and session information visit toowoomba repertorytheatre. com.au.
• Or phone 4632 8058