OLDHAM Coliseum Theatre is to stage the world premiere of Mike Harding's Comfort and Joy on May 16.

Directed by Kenneth Alan Taylor, Mike says his new play will be packed with all of the broad humour and deftly observed characters which made his Fur Coat And No Knickers such a success.

Mike's script ensures that everything happens to the family that might deserve it but least expects it.

"It's the Giles Family meets the Christmas from Hell," he says.

"We're born into families and surviving them is an art that most aspire to and few perfect. Once, we thought that family dramas were simply a part of life. Now we know better."

Mike's last play was the highly successful Last Tango In Whitby written eight years ago.

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