SILLY Cow is slick, fast, sharp and very funny.

But would you expect any different from the man who penned it -- Ben Elton?

The lines delivered are razor sharp, funny, yet incisive.

Indeed, the play itself while primarily played to laughs takes a piercing, perceptive look at the world of tabloid journalism and celebrity, while also taking a playful jab at the role society plays.

Directed by Mark Babych, this is a wonderful opening production for the Bolton Octagon's autumn season.

Yes, the words written by Elton are very good. But spoken without the required depth of emotion they would be meaningless.

Leading lady Christine Moore is no stranger to the Octagon. In fact, she is fast becoming one of the Bolton theatre's firm favourites.

If Moore appears you know you are in for an entertaining night out. Her biting, caustic portrayal of Doris Wallis, the brassy, vicious tabloid journalist is quite superb. She personifies just about every negative caricature the most reviled of the tabloid hacks bring to mind, and is really funny with it.

But this is far from a one-woman show. Indeed Doris is surrounded by caricatures, all of whom play brilliantly against her.

Becky Hindley is superb as Doris's drippy right-hand woman, Alan Rothwell shines as the rather staid accountant Douglas, Sidney Kean is brilliant as the appalling editor, Sidney, while Jalaal Hartley just about brings the house down as toy boy lover Eduardo.

This is an outstanding production featuring a series of larger than life characters, all of whom are extremely funny.

To have an audience laugh out loud so appreciatively, and so often, is quite an achievement, and this was recognised by the rapturous applause at the end.

The play not only makes you smile, it makes you cry -- with laughter.

This production should attract and delight large audiences, while also reminding us that the town's professional theatre is here to above all else . . . entertain. Beverly Greenberg