WE all need to let our hair down and this is one theatrical old friend that offers a ticket for a raucous taxi ride of laughter and Mersey mayhem.

There's also pathos. Audience members are one minute throwing their heads back laughing...the next sitting attentively as a cancer-sufferer talks about her lot in life.

It’s late at night and the meter is ticking. 

Wirral Globe:

Stammering stag night victim Lenny Wood protects his modesty 

Alan Stocks stars as a cabbie cruising the streets looking for the next paying punter to brighten his night and fill up his wallet.

But this is Liverpool so he is guaranteed to get more than he bargained for.

It’s not every night that you pick up, among others, a prostitute, a naked stag, a drunken tramp and even an Elvis impersonator - but they all make an appearance tonight.  Each one of them driving home the point that, for a cabbie, life’s not fare.

In the taxi we see the human menagerie from from boozed-up couples to a fed-up, grotesque grotto Santa.

The cracking cast of six are all firm favourites with Merseyside audiences. They can (and do) turn their hands to eveything. So, in that respect, it is an ensemble piece.

Director Bob Eaton is firmly in the driver's seat and steers the best out of his actors.

An economic set design allows the updated dialogue to go on full throttle.

Stocks is faultless as the engaging, much put-upon cabbie. A superbly delivered opening monologue followed by astute asides and one liners.

Eithne Browne is as versatile as ever making you laugh and cry in equal measures.

Jake Abraham plays an Elvis impersonator providing some magical musical interludes (well, bless my soul).

Lenny Wood always had star status stamped over him and this likeable lad proves it again. His portrayal of a stammering stag night victim is worth the ticket price alone.

Naked and with just a ball and chain to cover his modesty he deserves a big tip (ahem).

Wirral's Suzanne Collins is exceptional with her feisty drunken clubber Doe. Her foul-mouthed outbursts made swearing seem an art form.

And her cameo as a prostitute was both-heart warming and yet hard-faced - another highlight in this two-and-a-quarter hour production.

Michael Ledwich, also in multiple roles, is a name to look out for.

Going nuts in May is the best way to describe this very funny, disorientating show.

Written by Jimmy Power and the much-missed Tony Furlong this play stands the test of time. I reviewed the original in 1994 and I am still laughing out loud in 2015.

Night Collar grabs you by scruff of the neck and says no political pontificating here.

This is about laughter. Here's a tip... if you don't mind a lot of strong earthy language; want to enjoy a rollercoaster of humour from actors at the top of their game, then this journey is for you.

Chaucer would have loved it.

Globe rating: 9/10. All hail this cab.

At the Royal Court until June 13. Call the box office on 0151 709 4321 for tickets.