Last Of The Summer Wine - Altrincham Garrick

SOME of the jokes in this stage adaptation of the much loved TV comedy are just plain daft.

But in a world that seems suffocated by seriousness, what's wrong with that? The central characters, Foggy, Clegg and the sartorially challenged Compo are old enough to know better. Acting your age can, however, get rather boring.

This production has evidently been lovingly nurtured by director John Chidgey and his right hand woman Rani Jackson, so it captures the wacky warmth of the original. While at the same time not attempting to be a carbon copy.

Aidan Kielty, John Westbrook and Barry Spencer put their own stamp on the roles of Foggy, Clegg and Compo. However, there are times when John's delivery makes him sound remarkably like Peter Sallis, who played Clegg on TV. I always thought of Clegg as the more cerebral, more refined of the three.

Love is in the air for Foggy, who has set his cap at Constance, played by Paula Keen. Foggy obviously likes a challenge, as she's related to the battle axe par excellence, Nora Batty (Christine Perry). You just know his plan is set to backfire when Foggy invites the duo to his house for tea.

For me, the performance of the evening comes from Bryn Thomas as Gifford, the local bobby. This is a great role for Bryn who is especially funny when his character has had far too much of the falling down water.

Last Of The Summer Wine only occasionally tickles my funny bone. That said, I have to take my hat off to all concerned for a job well done. Or should that be my flat cap?

* Until November 26. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ***