THIS play provides plenty of laughs.

An appreciative audience gave well over a minute's worth of applause at the final curtain - a positive verdict on Farnworth AODS's performance of Sailor, Beware!

It is a social comedy centred around the domineering Emma Hornett played marvellously by Elaine Nuttall.

She creates a great rapport with the audience with her shrugging and facial expressions directed towards them.

Set in "a small inland town", it translates perfectly to a terraced house in Bolton.

The close community is an echo back to the days in the 1950s when everybody knew each others' business and were terrified of what the neighbours might think.

The home of Mrs Hornett turns into a hornets' nest of manipulation surrounding the wedding of sailor Albert Tufnell, played by David Ramsden, and Mrs Hornett's daughter Shirley, played by Ruth Smith.

Ann-Marie Gorsuch as unstoppable flirt Daphne Pink adds a sexual sparkle - confirmed bachelor Carnoustie Bligh, played by Graham Worthington, does not stand a chance against her advances.

The performance of the night must go to Judith Higson as the put-upon Edie Hornett.

She creates a hugely loveable and very funny character.

Nosy neighbour Mrs Lack, played by Judith Firth, does plenty of curtain twitching and adds her acerbic comments just when they are least wanted.

Even the vicar, played by Ian Lewis, sticks his oar in.

True to form, Mrs Hornett has her hen-pecked husband Henry to pick on and blame when things go wrong.

Dave Watson, as Henry, gives another excellent acting performance. But the sting in Mrs Hornett's tail gets well and truly blunted in the final scene.

First night nerves were evident in the odd fluffed line but full marks to Farnworth AODS for providing an entertaining evening out. MATTHEW TAYLOR

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