THE Ray Cooney farce Funny Money is the next production being staged by Phoenix Theatre Company.

The play runs from Wednesday to Saturday, 7.30pm, at United Reform Church Hall, Chorley Old Road, Bolton.

Good friends Betty and Vic arrive for Henry's birthday dinner. Jean is frantic because Henry is late.

When he eventually arrives he wants to emigrate immediately and with great reason -- the briefcase he accidentally picked up on the Underground is stuffed with £735,000. When two police officers call the two couples are forced into a frantic game of cat and mouse.

Hilarious innuendo and cruelly funny turns of fate ensue as the two couples assume various identities in their battle to keep the money.

The cast comprises John Howarth, Mick Tonge, Joyce Smith and Jacky Gill, and is being directed by Dave Eyre.

Tickets, from the box office on 01204 840448 are £5, £4 concessions, and £2.50 children. Friday and Saturday all tickets are £5.