Michael Frayn's multi-award-winning classic farce, Noises Off, is a play within a play.

It was originally premiered in London in 1982 and came to the Leamington theatre 19 years ago when it was directed by Gus MacDonald.

Now Gus is back to direct Frayn's updated - and equally hilarious - script which he revised for a revival at the National Theatre in 2000.

Those who know the plot can be reassured there's still a leading lady who can't remember her lines, a co-star who is hitting the bottle and the celebrity brought in for his looks who turns out to have serious qualms about his character's "motivation."

The Loft cast includes Julie Godfrey, Rachel Cooper, Des McCann and Mary Macdonald, who admit they've regularly been doubled up during rehearsals.

Then there's the "monster" revolving set which allows audiences to see what's happening not only stage right and left but front and back.

Gus admitted his major worry was that returning to direct the play after so many years might mean he no longer found it funny.

But he said: "That worry was completely misguided. I have laughed, red-faced, choleric and fit to burst on many occasionas at almost every rehearsal. I think that in itself is a tribute to Michael Frayn's massive genius."

On top of that as well as various members of the cast running around in scanty lingerie, there isn't an entendre that isn't doubled, or a pair of trousers that aren't dropped.

In a departure from the normal Loft run, the play opens at 7.45pm on July 13 and runs until July 24.

The play won the Laurence Olivier Award for best comedy along with a clutch of other accolades. Its popularity means that it seems to have been playing somewhere since its premier in 1982.

Tickets for the production are available from the ticket hotline on: 0844 493 4938 from the theatre box office from July 12.