With the current political situation and Brexit, there doesn't seem a more appropriate time to re-stage The Entertainer.

Originally written by John Osborne in the 1950s in the midst of the Suez crisis, director Sean O'Connor's version of the show transports us back to 1982 against the backdrop of the Falklands War and Thatcher's Government.

Comedy is changing - alternative comedy is new and exciting whilst old-school club acts are becoming a thing of the past..

Enter Archie Rice - played by Shane Richie. Once great, his act is woefully out of date, but he just won't accept the fact.

He begins to hate his audience, and it shows. You initially warm to him, but when he treats the audience with contempt, his gags start to make you feel uncomfortable - you want to get up on stage and tell him to stop, that his life is descending into a downward spiral, but at the same time you can't help feeling sorry for him and what he has become.

Archie's daughter Jean, played by Diana Vickers, has returned home after a disagreement with her fiancee, having recently been involved in campaigning against the Falklands war. She seems to desperately want the family to be happy, but this is clearly never going to happen with Archie seeming to self destruct.

His father Billy Rice, played by Pip Donaghy, once a success on the club circuit himself, has a real soft spot for Jean and the two get on well together, despite the family's indifferences.

Archie's, long-suffering second wife Phoebe, excellently played by Olivier award-winning Sara Crowe, is rarely seen without a drink in her hand whilst fussing over everyone.

In fact, the whole family seem to exist on drink for the most part. Even Archie's son, Frank Rice, played by Christopher Bonell, joins in on a couple of occasions as the the drink flows freely.

It's a tense time whilst the family await news of their son, Mick, coming home from the war in the Falklands.  

Archie's whole life seems to be an act, with him rarely letting his family see behind the mask and how he's really feeling.  And when he does, it's not pretty.

The Entertainer is still as relevant today as when it was originally written.  Shane Richie strikes the balance just right with Archie - he is not a loveable character, but you do end up feeling sorry for him and where his life and career has taken him. 

Every member of this cast plays each part to its fullest for the whole two hours.

The 80s references, the set design and the soundtrack are spot on and transport you back to that era immediately.  Even if you'd not been around in those times, you'll get a real feel for it.

The Entertainer is at Curve until  August 31. Tickets £38-£10. There are limited tickets available for the last 2 performances