THE Scousewives of the title arrived in New Brighton to warm gales of laughter.

Lynne Fitzgerald's modern day tale of four very different, damaged, but funny females has no trouble travelling from the terraces of Liverpool across the river Mersey.

It is a great achievement from the writer / director Lynne Fitzgerald - an accomplished actress and stand up herself - to create a two-and-a-half-hour (including interval) play with songs that work on many levels.

The story revolves around the inter-action between Susan (Lynne), best mate Vanessa (Charlie Griffiths), Lily (Lynn Francis) and newcomer to the street Trisha (Jodie Nesbitt Shaw).

It is an adult, blackly comic farce which bravely interweaves domestic violence and the antics of four scally street hoodies into the plot.

There is also a laugh-out-loud pub sequence.

The success of Desperate Scousewives (it's now in its seventh year) is two-fold: powerful writing and stellar performances from a cast who have a polished on stage charisma and pedigree.

There are re-workings of 60s pop songs including Save the last dance for me and It might as well rain until September.

Their inclusion helps the plot along nicely.

Desperate Scousewives has some cracking one-liners and sharp observations.

They name-checked Donald Trump, which is the only nod to politics.

On the second night of their mini Wirral tour there were problems with the stage lighting which they overcame with flying colours.

The wide-aged group audience lapped up this play which appeals to men as well as women.

It cleverly combines hilarity with moments of poignancy and pathos.

Four Stars - Scouse Super Troupers