RELIGION has always been a rich source of material for comedians.

From the days of Liverpool's Derek Nimmo to Dave Allen, Dick Emery and Father Ted...oh and that mildly amusing Vicar of Dibley.

But you ain't seen or heard anything like fab Father O'Flaherty.

Wirral Globe:

All pictures: Bond Media

The tipsy cleric creates mass hysteria in this two and half hour joyous production that will delight Royal Court disciples and anyone thinking of converting to the theatre's brand of all-round entertainment.

The characters raise plenty of laughs without going too far over the line.

There's always the Court's Gran-o-meter to guide you with its pointers on the offerings - general rudeness, swearing and all that.

Here it is all in the rest possible taste..

The writer and star Alan Stocks has taken his affable alter ego to a new level.

I can certainly see a sequel coming on such was the magic of this debut full scale work on designer Olivia du Monceau's wonderful two-tier, priest's house and church interior set.

With Bob Eaton at the director's helm the action builds up nicely from first-half story setter to rocking them in the pews and aisles after the interval.

Alan Stocks has got his full set of wings with this show, and the five-strong cast are all singing from the same hilarious hymn sheet.

It starts out like a sit-com and ends up with a fizzling finale bumping into Pythonesque and Marx Brothers surrealism along the way.

In the the past Father O (as I affectionately call him) has stolen the shows he has made appearances in such as Merry Ding Dong,Scouse Pacific and Mam I'm 'Ere to name but a few.

Wirral Globe:

I must confess I wondered whether the character could keep the momentum going in a whole show.

Alan does it wonderfully - so songs of praise all round.

The wayward cleric is back from a holiday and is hosting two nuns on the run.

Sister Harley and Davidson who got on their bike and left the nunnery under a lack cloud .

Yes, (pray for my puns here ) but they have bad habits: one sex-starved Sister Harley (Helen Carter) has a terrific singing voice while her pal Ketty Sutton as nutty Sister Davidson provides impressions that are superb - bar nun - a smashing Cilla and a spot-on Barbara Windsor.

Clare Bowles sparkles as Mrs Ruby a foul-mouthed gem of a creation.

Paul Duckworth plays a sinister visitor in the form of devilish Father Devlin - the bringer of bad tidings who reveals that the archbishop isn't happy with Father O - this black sheep parish priest.

Wirral Globe:

Our likeable priest has to give the mass of his career to put the faith back into his boss.

Here Alan shows his diverse skills and gives an outstanding sermon - a piece of pure stand-up (or nearly falling down) comedy from the flask-swilling father.

There are some genuinely moving moments when he talks about right and wrong and the much- sinned against city of Liverpool.

Alan Stocks is a versatile actor and Court stalwart. It is clear from the moment he arrives on stage in trademark dishevelled swirling cassock and with mischievous grin that we all know we are in for an up-lifting time.

He has dedicated the show to his late sister who never got to see her brother's first play.

''I hope she is watching somewhere,'' he writes in the programme notes.

She is, Alan. Sitting on a cloud with your mentor Dave Allen laughing to high heaven and saying how proud she is of you.

Glorious!

Globe rating: Four stars. 

Father O'Flaherty Saves Our Souls runs until November 9.

Royal Court Box Office: 0151 709 4321.