Old school but still funny

There is little groundbreaking about this experienced quintet, but they do old-school gags magnificently. The emphasis is on the parody of familiar formats. The writing is pin-sharp, the knowing performances effortless and the laughs flow from start to finish.

Clea Smith is particularly impressive as the soft-rock newsreader who delivers bulletins in the style of Meat Loaf 's power ballads. Equally memorable is the cartoonish restaurant skit, which exacts snot-garnished revenge on Michael Winner.

Occasionally the influences are too obvious. The speed-dating send-up has the rhythms of Python's Argument sketch, while the sports commentary on a gluttonous hubby is descended from the excitable description of Mel Smith's vodka-drinking darts player. Though full marks to Dave Mounfield, who digests nightly pies for his art.

The Ornate Johnsons do hark back rather than forwards. But when it is this funny, who cares?

Thursday to Saturday. (0870 429 6883).

The Ornate Johnsons' Edwardian Spectacular