Terry Johnson’s Dead Funny, written in 1994 is certainly a product of its era as far as comedy is concerned but Newport Playgoers' take on the accompanying underlying sadness and tension brings this production bang up to date.

Set in early 90s suburbia, the play centres around a group of comedy-worshipping neighbours who belong to a society dedicated to celebrating the humour of greats such as Sid James, Frankie Howard and Benny Hill. Their world is thrown into kilter, when Benny Hill dies suddenly and a hastily thrown social evening is arranged in his honour.

Fearlessly directed by Richard Dymond, the small cast of five successfully shrug off a nervous start and inject humour and compassion into a pacy piece, that includes a need for spot-on comic timing as well as the tenacity for slapstick.

Simon Hurley makes a steady, debut as frosty gynaecologist Richard, perfectly offset by Nicola Davies who, in a blinding performance as his frustrated wife Eleanor manages to convey humour in her disdain and at the same time win the audience’s sympathy.

Dysfunctional neighbours Nick and Lisa, (Luke Bowkett and Rosamund Jones-Griffiths) successfully pull off both the visual and slapstick comedy, whilst Chris Edmunds is deliciously dead-pan and overtly camp as the gentle Brian (their collective ‘boom ooh yatatata’ sketch will remain memorable).

The production runs until Saturday, but wink wink, be prepared, it’s definitely for adults only.