This comedy is full of John Godber's trademark earthy humour and makes perfect entertainment for this time of year.

The staff of an advertising agency are gearing up for their festive bash and along the way various elements of office envy, politics and romance are revealed.

Carlton Dramatic Society's production was extremely well directed by Ian Ward and was one of the most professional amateur productions I've seen lately.

It captured the dynamics of an ambitiously creative environment and all the boyish banter that goes with it in punchy and pacey performances from everyone. The drunken revelry was also well drawn.

As well as exploiting the full comic potential of the piece there is a poignancy which was also delicately handled.

Married Andy has fallen for new girl Jo, also attached but seeming to have some sort of rift with her husband.

Jim Mannering was a complete natural as Andy and his interest in Jo (sweet and subtle Naomi Nicholson) was gently developed up to the point of their thoroughly authentic party kiss.

Roberto Prestoni was boorish bully Bob, always on the pull, jealous of Andy and goading him mercilessly to force an admission that yes, he had fallen in love with Jo. Mannering's explosive outburst was a dramatic gem.

I loved Christian Elliott as the office junior and resident clown Lee, always goofing around. Geoff Cooper was the irascible and unpleasant boss Gavin, Sophie McCallum was the mousy Patty and Sophie Flowers the pretty young flirt Pippa whose bum gets immortalised on the office photocopier.

The pleasures and pains of office life were all here. Great work.

Diana Eccleston

5 stars