ON one hand you shouldn't laugh because it is so silly, on the other you should preciously because it is.

I never doubted Stephen Tompkinson as a comic actor but he surprised me a little in Charley's Aunt. He was far funnier than I expected.

Brandon Thomas's farce is about two high-spirited Oxford students Jack and Charley who are so desperate to spend time with their sweethearts they convince their friend Lord Fancourt Babberley (Tompkinson) to wear and dress and pretend to be Charley's Aunt Dona Lucia.

Part of the enjoyment of watching Babberley (Fanny Babs to his friends) masquerading as an old woman is the fact he is a man in a dress, rather than a man in drag. Tompkinson's costume and presence have a panto dame feel about them but here is a versatile actor - not only does he succeed at slapstick, his Babberley is a believable a romantic lead making the conclusion of the play all the more agreeable. Nick Clayton (Charley) and David Partidge (Jack) perfect the art of playing two quite likable prize idiots, while John Vine (Sir Francis Chesney) is a pleasure to watch.

I appreciate Charley's Aunt in the same way I love You've Been Framed.

I know I shouldn't find it funny because I'm a grown up and it's just so silly - but I do, I did and without fail, whenever I watch it I end up grinning like an idiot.