Funny Money, United Reform Church Hall,Chorley Old Road, Bolton

THE Phoenix Theatre Company's Funny Money, by Ray Cooney, certainly lived up to its name.

In fact this was very funny money, superbly acted by a talented cast who did not miss a beat.

It is set in the home of Henry and Jean Perkins. It is Henry's birthday, and friends Vic and Betty are expected for dinner.

However, fate steps in and when Henry arrives home it is with a briefcase full of cash. He has accidentally picked up the wrong case at the station and now intends holding on to it -- for dear life.

When two sets of police officers knock on the door, a web of lies is spun, and the four friends are caught up in their own fabrication. As with most farce, timing is everything. And not one member of this talented cast put one foot out of place.

The lines were delivered sharply, backwards and forwards, doors were opened and shut, and briefcases flung into each other's arms without hitch.

The set was terrific. It was simple, yet gave that three-dimensional feel that was needed. Doors that in reality led nowhere, nevertheless felt as though they were an entrance to outside, the dining room, kitchen and upstairs.

But it was the performances which gave the sparkle to this production. There truly was not one weak performance among the cast.

That said, Jacky Gill and John Howarth, as Jean and Henry Perkins, were particularly brilliant. John's facial expressions had the audience laughing before he had uttered a word.

It is not often that an audience laughs out loud through the entire evening. If you have a pulse you will find this funny -- guaranteed.

Funny Money runs until Saturday. Beverly Greenberg