By Elaine Pritchard

T'S been described as "Bouncers for the crinklies" – and if you are a fan of John Godber's classic comedy play about four nightclub doormen then you are unlikely to be disappointed with Men of the World.

The two plays share a similar format – a small cast play a multitude of parts. But whereas the four bouncers brought us the drunken customers of a typical small town night spot, Men of the World (actually two men and a woman) are coach drivers who share with us the misadventures, fears and disappointments of the mostly elderly holidaymakers they drive through a tour of the Rhine Valley. Men of the World toured to great success in 2002. Eight years on, it's been revived and Derby gets to see this Hull Truck Theatre production – directed by John Godber himself – close to the start of its four-month UK tour.

Unfortunately, on the opening night of its three-night run at Derby Theatre, technical problems delayed the 7.30pm start time by 20 minutes and the almost-capacity audience was left standing outside the firmly-closed auditorium like coach tour customers waiting patiently at a pick-up point.

But, once settled in our seats it was clear the slight delay had done nothing to dampen the desire to laugh at the words of one of Britain's most prolific and successful modern-day playwrights.

The first of many guffaws rang out within seconds of the cast trudging on stage as coach drivers Frank, Stick and Happy Larry lugging on the cases of their customers.

Sarah Parks as Frank, Robert Angell as Stick and Dicken Ashworth as Happy Larry are seasoned veterans of a host of Hull Truck productions and know how to get the best out of the multi-role playing that this pacey comedy demands.

Effortlessly, they zip in and out of a diverse range of characters, aided only by a few hats and scarves. They become a trio of retired miners, a group of fussy old ladies, a 46-year-old mummy's boy, a nervous, sickly husband and wife and many more.

As the tour winds on, we learn more about their own hopes and fears, loves and hates.

Fans of Godber will relish his way with dialogue. Glorious moments of comedy and sentiment liberally sprinkle this script and we are in the presence of characters drawn so perfectly from real life.

MEN OF THE WORLD

WHERE: Derby Theatre.

WHEN: Until February 3, 7.30pm nightly, Wednesday matinee 2.30pm.

TICKETS: £8-£17 (concessions available).

BOX OFFICE: 01332 255800