Bang Bang, Mercury Theatre, Colchester. Until March 11. 01206 573948.

THERE'S Farce and now there's Fawlty Farce.

It's a new genre of theatre, which I predict is about to take the world by storm, judging by the production of Bang Bang I've just seen at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

Even John Cleese, the comedy legend behind this adaptation of Georges Feydeau's Monsieur Chasse, alluded to the similarity of a classic Farce to perhaps his most famous creation.

And it's there for all to see.

As Duchotel tries to fumble his way out of a sticky situation in front of his terrifying wife, Leontine, you can almost hear Basil and Sybil crackle, and if Cassagne isn't Cleese's French Farce version of Manuel, well I'm a Frenchman's uncle.

For classic Farce lovers, there's plenty to enjoy with trouser-less men in wardrobes, a plethora of slamming doors, and the obligatory mistaken identity. But there's so much more as well with a healthy serving of asides being put to very good use. I don't why it's so funny when an actor breaks the fourth wall but it is, and in Bang Bang it provides some of the biggest laughs.

Then there's the set, which is utterly gorgeous, even before it switches around and becomes even more incredible. I also loved the way they changed it between Act 1 and 2, as Babette plays the violin while the other actors dance the props around the stage.

In terms of the cast, the Mercury have scored an absolute bullseye in Oliver Cotton, Caroline Langrishe and Richard Earl as the hilarious love triangle. They're obviously relishing in delivering Cleese's perfectly pitched lines and who wouldn't. But they also serve-up such super slick performances, despite the ridiculousness of their situation, you can't help believe every single moment of it.

At some stage this show is going places. Either the West End or the US, where I'm sure the Americans would lap up this very 'English' French Farce.

Just make sure you can say with your hand on your heart, that you saw it here first.

NEIL D'ARCY-JONES