By Cherry Jordan

To be completely honest it's been a while since I have been to see a "real" play. Not that I'm saying the likes of Joseph and Cats aren't real, but it did make a change to watch a cast who I knew weren't about to burst into song about anything from a magical cat to a fancy coat.

Sugar Daddies tells the story of Sasha - played tremendously by Alison Pargeter - an archetypal country bumpkin who has moved to London to go to catering college.

She appears to be ignorant of all the horrors, to be found in the big city. "Everyone's just really friendly," she comments to her sister Chloe (Anna Brecon).

So when she happens upon an old man who has been hurt in an accident, she thinks nothing of inviting him into her home to assist him. But this is just the beginning. Soon Sasha finds herself in a situation which everyone around her, apart from herself, can see is wrong.

To anyone who's sick of the usual Christmas panto and tired of watching telly, I would recommend Sugar Daddies.

Despite the story's fairly menacing undertones, the cast manages to create a play, which is entertaining and particularly funny.

Pargeter's portrayal of Sasha is realistic and extremely amusing, inducing laughter every time she so much as walks across the stage.

All the performances by the relatively small cast, are highly believable with special reference to Uncle Val (Rex Garner) about whom I would sat more if it weren't for fear of ruining the plot.

Only one set is used during the play but with the constant change of scene and furniture, no one seemed bored in the packed auditorium..

The night flew by at such a pace I was surprised when it finished. I left the Playhouse feeling exceedingly contented by such an original and refreshing performance. It's a must - see.