Four actors go mad at the Manoel

Two guitarists walk onto the Manoel Theatre stage for Malta's top guitarist contest. And in vying for the top prize they are prepared to go through rather "alternative" means of playing their instrument.

In the meantime, Hugh Hefner visits Malta in search of his next Playboy bunny while three well-known local newscasters give rather different interpretations to the same news item.

MADC is opening its theatre season with More Fourplay on Friday - and this time it's funnier and sussier than the original which brought the house down in 2005.

Malta's oldest drama club is offering a potpourri of comedy, satire and musical sketches, spiced up with a generous helping of British humour and wit, Maltese-styled teatrin, a topping of in-your-face slapstick and audience participation thrown in for good measure.

Nothing is sacred; as good fun is poked at the things we like and dislike: from bus drivers to sexy call centres to well-known newspaper columnists. The cast try their hands, and feet, at some improvisation of Argentinian tango, Abba, the Bee Gees - and of course no local variety show would be complete without lampooning a selection of Malta's Eurovision Song Contest adventures.

To achieve this festival of laughs, MADC has lined up a formidable team with four of the island's leading comics. Alan Montanaro, Isabel Warrington, Louiselle Vassallo and Alan Paris are set to offer an evening of entertainment, laughter and fun with something for everyone - over 18. Most of the sketches are original, blended in with a couple of British classics that have been dusted down and adapted. A total of 19 fast-moving sketches will be performed with the majority lasting no more than five minutes in a formula that is guaranteed to provide everyone a fun night out at the theatre.

Herman Grech, Denise Mulholland, Wesley Ellul and James Calvert are directing the sketches written by Alan Montanaro, James Calvert, Nanette Brimmer and Malcolm Galea.

Fourplay is the brainchild of Alan Montanaro, who believes in the old adage that "laughter is the best medicine", and he came up with a theatrical prescription that works. The first edition in 2005 had played to packed houses to the extent that two additional shows were added to cater for the demand.

• More Fourplay is being staged on Friday and Saturday from October 17 to 19. Tickets may be obtained by phone on 2124 6389, by e-mail: bookings@teatru-manoel.com.mt or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.