The press night fell on International Scouse Day - an ideal time to welcome back the Mersey Musi-scallies: a crazy gang of council misfits who audiences first saw in 2008.

Ten years on the original cast are back with a shining new star in the form of James Nelson–Joyce who plays Shorty - a wannabe drug baron.

He is actually barren of intelligence, but has a gift for street-wise rapping.

The other desperate council employees bemoan their clock on and clock off days and fill in the time drinking tea or boozing and keeping up morale with a make-shift band.

They excel at skive-talking, singing the blues and playing their instruments and whatever else is to hand when they should be clearing out empty houses.

The central theme focuses on Stan (Phil Hearne) who is counting the hours and minutes before retirement after 42 years.

His co-shirkers envy his release from the drudgery of their prison-like existence.

There’s slobbish Harry (Paul Broughton) who thinks he is management material despite his horrible hygiene issues.

Disillusioned Danny (Andrew Schofield) who cracks bitter-sweet one-liners while openly gay Jo Jo (Roy Brandon) dreams of running off with Linford Christie.

There’s hen-pecked drunk Norman played by the Court’s ever creative musical director Howard Gray and a fine feisty performance by Jake Abraham as frustrated Fitz.

While at a clearance job at the house of a music treacher the useless bunch come across a rare mandolin and this is the passport to a new life. Alas, there are more strings attached.

They also have to cope with a grotesque next door neighbour called Vera courtesy of Lindzi Germain at her shouty best.

The strength of this one-off situation comedy is the musicianship - individually and collectively.

Brilliant bluesy guitar work from Drew Schofield with sax appeal from Roy Brandon and heart-touching harmonica from Phil Hearne.

There are also first rate harmonies especially on Nobody Loves You When You’re Down and Out.

Writer Dave Kirby based these characters on those he met in 16 years of a ‘corpy career’ which gave him a bin bag full of ideas and inspiration for this play dedicated to his late dad.

Dave has updated his original with some new gags and punchy radio announcements.

Director Bob Eaton yet again gets the best out of the talented team on Billy Meall’s slick revolving set.

A fab finale, including some daft slapstick, ties up all the loose ends leading to some deserved overtime... a cracking encore.

Why not join this wacky workers’ party now.

Home-grown hilarity - Four stars.

On until March 24, get your tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4321.