BLACK comedies don't get any blacker than The Lonesome West.

They don't get any funnier either.

Congratulations to the Royal Court in breaking away from their well-established comedy comfort zone.

Their home-grown productions are always crowd-pleasers.

This play is different but just as hilarious.

The laughter count is very high and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

It is a surreal comedy that is packed full of surprises from the emotional to the physical.

Catholicsm, sibling rivalry, the priesthood, drink, murder, suicide ... there is so much going on in this compelling piece of work.

It is written by Martin McDonagh the critically acclaimed skilful writer of the films In Bruges and Seven Pyschopaths.

Set in a remote farm land village in the West of Ireland it is far removed from any stereotypical Irish comedy such as Father Ted or Mrs Brown's Boys.

It really does have depth.

Two brothers - Valene and Coleman - are downright weird and continually at each others throats.

They are grotesque - both seeping with sinister secrets.

Both adept liars.

Keiran Cunningham, returning to the Royal Court, plays Coleman who has anger stamped over his world-weary face as he knocks back copious amounts of the drink poteen.

Royal Court favourite Paul Duckworth plays prissy Valene, who is obsessed with religious figurines and cut-price crisps.

There's flirty but vulnerable Girleen - courtesy of the talented Ann O'Riordan who has a crush on Father Welsh, played by another Court fresh face - Alan Devally.

Father Welsh is full of clerical errors.

He has more than Catholic guilt - he is burdended by lashings of self-doubt.

The dialogue is crisp throughout delivered by actors who relish the chance to bring these odd ball characters alive.

And there's some fitting incidental music from The Pogues.

Director Richard Farquhar paces the two hours superbly from start to finish.

Olivia Du Monceau's design is a delight as is the subtle llighting from Ian Scott.

The Lonesome West grabs you from the macabre post funeral outset and doesn't let go providng a cracking piece of uniquely entertaining theatre along the way.

It is as dark but as satisfying as a pint of Guinness, to be sure.

Pure Genius! Five stars.

The show ends it Royal Court run on May 20.

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4321.