Grumpy Old Women, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth

IT'S extraordinary how ninety minutes of menopausal ranting about the million irritations of life can provide such brilliant theatrical entertainment.

The almost exclusively female audience was certainly swept along on a wave of almost joyously painful recognition and uneasy empathy for our three energetic, comedic performers - original Grumpy Dillie Keane, former Bond Girl Britt Ekland and Ken Barlow's old flame from Coronation Street, Denise Black.

Written by Judith Holder - who created the original BBC series - and comedienne Jenny Éclair, the script is loaded with rapid, quick-fire one liners and perfectly timed gags.

Skilfully delivered, the three HRT-driven characters embark on a moan-athon, building a rambling momentum that has such energy and pace you are still laughing at the last gag when you trip over the next.

The irascible humour, with superb physical comedy sequences, has you laughing - and tutting - the standout sequences including a rant about how the Lakeland catalogue becomes almost sexually attractive, with its offers of everything you need including banana guards and a glow in the dark coaster - handy for a power cut or waving at a Barry Manilow concert!