THE temptation to compare this latest Eric Chappell offering to one of his many previous comedy successes is overwhelming.

And why not? Duty Free, for those of us old enough to remember it, is the sort of television comedy classic many a writer would gladly have put their name to.

Here Chappell again gives us a Spanish setting and two couples at odds and bickering among themselves.

But it is the characters that carry this gem of a comedy along with the casting of Paul Nicholas and Ian Ogilvy inspired.

Nicholas' timing is superb as Sam Spencer and it is he and wife Fay, played by Judy Buxton, who do the initial groundwork, laying down a storyline that builds layer upon layer before teasing a stream of post-interval belly laughs.

While Fay provides the foil for Nicholas's quick-witted one liners, Ogilvy's Howard, a fading actor, has his own in young mistress Dodie, played convincingly by Rachel Rhodes.

Ogilvy plays his suave character well and even steals the show with a bizarre solo stint just as things start to get a touch farcical prior to the climax.

The plot is simple - throw in a few identical holdalls - one full of cash from a heist - mix them up at the airport and swap them around with growing frequency as everyone, criminals and police included, try to get their hands on the money.

And the result is an evening of entertainment that'll leave you with a smile on your face.

Carl Stringer