IT is a brave theatre company that takes on Alan Ayckbourne's sci-fi romantic comedy, but the Marco Players pulled it off with aplomb.
The action centres around a TV studio in which actors have been replaced by low-cost "actoids".
But when actoid Jacie finds herself laughing like a human, it is up to idealistic young writer Adam to save her from having her memory wiped. Together, they fight the closed mindsets of those around them - and fall in love.
Despite his youth, Paul Brammer is impressive as Adam, inspiring compassion and a nostalgic smile for the follies of youth while still delivering some killer one-liners.
Alongside him, Natalie Crompton gets to show her full range as Jacie, from the no-nonsense cop she remembers from a show she starred in, to the lost and confused "real" Jacie. Her performance is both funny and touching and, if that was not praise enough, she also turns out to be handy with a custard pie.
The supporting cast are equally talented. Liz Kenworthy is simply horrible as Carla Pepperbloom, the vicious TV exec out to get Jacie.
Emma Fox and Anna Warburton are clever and wry as the studio staff, while Chris Irish, Paul Costello, Martin Pearce and Carolyn Haslam pop up in various roles, always bringing a smile.
This is a remarkable play about what it really means to be human.
Comic Potential, The Marco Players, Chorley Old Road Methodist Church. Until Saturday
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