Bringing a defunct TV comedy series to the stage is always a dangerous move.

It could be the nail in the creative coffin or a new lease of life.

Theatrical interpretations of French And Saunders and Bottom have previously fallen on their backsides.

The Fast Show, however, was simply born for the stage.

Starring dozens of the series' best-loved characters, the show is a little bit wooo, a little bit waayy.

It charges along at tremendous speed barely allowing you a pit-stop from the full-throttle laughter.

The set, which resembles the Muppet Show theatre with two directors' boxes on either side, allows the characters an element of surprise.

One minute Swiss Tony is making his famous comparisons ("golf is a bit like making love to a beautiful woman") and, in the blink of an eye, a spotlight has swung up to the box where a naked couple are having a "lovely shag".

Characters come and go in the blink of an eye. Philip Carlsberg stumbles on looking for his seat, Patrick Nice struggles with an Edwina Curry conundrum, the Patagonian Pan Pipers make musical appearances as do Ralph and Ted.

Paul Whitehouse is consistently brilliant but it is his very, very drunk old toff who reduces the crowd to tears with his incoherent squeals and babble.

The audience, some of whom dressed up for the occasion (Cheesy Peas and Jesse to name but a few), were visibly in pain as they awaited their favourite catchphrases.

You could see their lips straining as they battled to hold back catch phrases such as "black", "this week" and, of course, The Fast Show's cult phrase "suits you".

Kemp Town comedian Simon Day steals the show as Dave Angel, Billy Bleach and Competitive Dad.

Although he blended into the TV series, live on stage, his mastery of character comedy stands out as a real highlight.

Fellow Brightonian, Mark Williams is also warmly received by his home crowd.

It is obvious both Williams and Day have tinkered with the content of the show, to give it a local slant.

There are cheeky references to Steve Coogan's love of lap dancers, a scene set on Duke's Mound and Williams gets to mention his favourite team, Brighton and Hove Albion, during a Ron Manager sketch.

But what pushes the show above brilliance is the spontaneity and sheer enjoyment radiated by every performer.

The show isn't slick and polished, it is raw and live.

The fluffed lines and cock-ups give it an exciting edge and the unrehearsed responses are as funny as the classic lines.

Even if you have never seen The Fast Show, you'll leave exhausted with laughter.

If you are a die-hard fan, you'll probably be back tonight and tomorrow for another dose.

Tickets are still available. Call 0870 9009100.