Charley's Aunt - Altrincham Garrick

AS a comedic concept, it's as old as the hills and yet the sight of a man in a dress still gets laughs, especially when the masculine mannerisms show through his disguise.

Cross dressing isn't just for Christmas and pantomimes, as those who see this clever if not side-splitting comedy will verify. Plays like these require a cast with exemplary timing and take it fromme, these Garrick actors don't disappoint.

Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham are two likeable if unashamedly vacuous young toffs who have set their caps at two very eligible young ladies,  Amy Spettigueand Kitty Verdun. Lunch is in the offing, but thetwo chaps have no chance of getting their girls without the presence of a chaperone. That's where Charley's aunt, Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez comes in. But the course of true love never runs smooth, as they say, and very drastic, 11th hour action is required

Jamie Sloan and Callum Anderson are an engaging double act as Jack and Charley, convincing going into emotional meltdown when their best laid plans go horribly wrong. Paul Antony is jolly good fun - to pinch the parlance of the upper crust circle we find ourselves in - as their unlikely saviour Lord Fancourt Babberley. Some of these character names are just plain ridiculous. Carole Carr, an actress with quite a stage presence, brings a perfect sense of poise and elegance to the role of Donna Lucia.

As the nights draw in, a dose of frothy fun is just what lovers of summer like me need. But I would really like to see the Garrick turn its hand to say, a Neil Simon comedy. If any theatre has the talent in depth to do it, Altrincham Garrick does.

* Until September 10. The box office is on 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ***