ANOTHER small step for the Royal Court and another giant leap in its support of new writing alongside its established contributors.

Gerry Linford's last work was staged here with the home-grown comedy drama success The Miracle of Great Homer Street.

It was evident on that impressive debut that we have another Liverpool-born playwright to add to the area's proud list.

Now, working closely with executive producer Kevin Fearon, Gerry's name is on the poster which features a girl in pyjamas walking down a terraced street in Anfield towards her destination ... the moon.

Director Bob Eaton keeps his six-strong cast busy in what I would call a Scouse semi space-age soap sit-com.

Phew.

According to the programme notes, Gerry says that along wih Homer Street he believes this play has a message: "It's nice to be nice. We're all here and have got to pull together."

This production is not in the familiar raucous laugh-a-minute Court tradition.

It is consistently sharp on dialogue as we get to know the cash-strapped Potter family.

At first they are seemingly dysfunctional but then we get to know them better.

Dad Billy is a good all-round egg played by the ever-expressive Paul Duckworth.

His scatty wife Carol is played by Lynn Francis, who excels in this type of role. Lynn has top-notch timing.

Eithne Browne is a gifted actress, skilled at turning from comedy to tragedy at the drop of a punchline

Sadly, as granny Nora, she has to deliver crass dialogue regarding bodily functions.

Surely writers should be aiming to break new ground instead of wind.

Some lines would make you cringe even in episodes of Mrs Brown's Boys or Catherine Tate's foul-mouthed Nan.

People in the audience lapped up certain nostalgic references and Eithne should be given more of these.

There is no one better than Eithne in connecting with audiences.

Jake Abraham continues to be one of our finest character actors here playing deluded handy man Uncle Barry a NASA nut.

But don't let him near a sonic screwdriver.

Newcomer Gemna Brodrick as mobile phone addict Dot with mental health issues and gangster-esque villain of the piece Harry played by Jamie Greer complete the very versatile line-up.

Half-way through the first half the revolving stage reveals a stunning lunar set from Olivia du Monceau.

It is a visual highlight of the production.

When Dot suffers a black-out we are taken on her journey through flashback sequences.

The action reminded me of early scenes in Blood Brothers, The Wizard of Oz and the time- travelling TV series Life On Mars.

There are many laugh-out-loud moments and some very tender, moving scenes.

It is about the glue that keeps households and families together.

I look forward to more new writing as the Royal Court boldly goes where no other theatres have gone before.

Starry-Eyed Comedy Drama - Four stars

The show is on until March 2.

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4321.