California Suite, Farnworth Little Theatre. Runs until Saturday, November 16 - AMERICAN humour either clicks immediately with British audiences, or sinks somewhere in mid-Atlantic.

But there is no doubt about the universal appeal of the comedy creations of Neil Simon, whose hits include The Odd Couple, Sweet Charity, and, of course, California Suite, which opened at Farnworth Little Theatre on Saturday.

From the moment Marvin Michaels staggers out of bed to the bathroom (leaving a dead-drunk call-girl between the sheets, and a wife due to arrive at any moment in suite 203 at the Beverly Hills Motel) to the final slap-stick scene of two couples enduring a holiday from hell, the production never flags for a moment.

Written in the 1970s, this classic comedy has a wealth of wonderful one-line wit from the five couples who pass through suite 203.

There is some really superb verbal sword play from the second couple (from New York) in a tug-of-love encounter over their teenage daughter, and it's followed by a brilliantly played piece involving a couple from London. Jennifer Lee as the Brit actress who is an award-winning hopeful handles the humour superbly -- "This dress is the Titanic in chiffon" -- while Stephen Knowles, as the long suffering partner Sidney is equally impressive.

The fourth frenzied playlet involving the two holiday couples is a reminder that knockabout comedy requires excellent talent and spot-on timing to be successful.