THE idea of the human failure wishing they were successful but lacking the wherewithal to change their lot is an important motif in English culture.

Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall's play, in which Billy Fisher's overactive imagination and flights of fancy serve to alleviate his stifling Northern existence, is one of the best examples of the tragicomic genre.

Derek Darlington's superb production, played out on Sara Hassall's effective set, brings every ounce of pathos and comedy from the characters.

Chris Millard as Billy is quite fantastic, by turns supremely confident in his lies, but wonderfully childlike when they are inevitably discovered. For all his dreams, Billy will never get the train to London, and Millard's portrait is a genuinely emotional one.

Helen Hamilton and Geoff Millard as Billy's parents are marvellous. Hamilton's increasingly desperate but resigned attitude to Billy's fecklessness is contrasted brilliantly by Millard, who hilariously rages against the world Billy inhabits. His baffled tirades give us one of the year's best comic performances.

There is excellent support from Mona Smith as a delightful Florence, Pam Higson as the drippy fiance Barbara, and Lisa Garrish as the terrifying, brassy, other fiance Rita. Jimmy Fogarty takes his first role with great aplomb as Billy's friend Arthur, and there is a nice cameo from Catherine Jackson as Liz, Billy's favourite girlfriend who lives in his dreams.

Hilarious, sensitive and deserving of your attention. Go.

Billy Liar

Farnworth Little Theatre until Saturday May 29.