PRAISE be to the Royal Court for promoting new writing as shown in the premiere of this new comedy drama.

It is a departure from popular raucous romps, funny farces and madcap musicals that have gained the theatre its ever-growing loyal fan base.

You know what to expect when you see their posters.

This latest production features a smiling priest with money stuffed in his pockets outside a bookmakers.

But that is just one part of the story – there's more to the crafty cleric than meets the eye.

It is written by Gerry Linford who was 'highly commended' in the 2017 Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize.

One of the judges, Les Dennis, saw great potential in the work and is here co-producer with the Royal Court.

The backdrop is the 1978 World Cup where Father Aherne (Les) takes up temporary residence in a parishioner's family home while his church is being renovated.

Unemployed, lapsed Catholic hubby Terry (Andrew Schofield) is initially unhappy about his wife Marion (Catherine Rice) being a Samaritan to the lodger.

But the holy man's love of football, a tipple and a flutter make them trainee soul mates.

There's sparking support from two new faces playing '70s punks: Terry and Marion's spiky haired daughter Bella (Katie King) and articulate leather-clad philosopher Jamie (Bobby Schofield).

Bobby is Andrew's son.

He is a star in the making who has great comic timing just like his much-respected dad.

This play has all the hallmarks of a family sit-com.

Father Aherne certainly moves in mysterious ways and is spot on when it comes to predicting the soccer scores. Enter the visionary St Catejan played by court stalwart Jake Abraham.

The writer blends fact (Catejan is the patron saint of Argentina, gambling and unemployment) with fiction as we suspend belief for two-and-a-half hours of top notch dialogue and confident performances from the six-strong cast.

It all takes place in designer Olivia du Monceau's period terraced house accompanied by snatches of '70s music.

Nicely-paced by director Bob Eaton, this is a play of two halves which is not a bad thing when the twists and turns of humour and poignancy provide a striking partnership.

It is an 'odds on' certainty we will be hearing a lot more from Gerry Linford following this impressive Court debut with his funny and moving Mersey morality tale.

FOUR STARS

A Divine Comedy

The show is on until June 30

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4321