ARTS DIARY: Ruttef's riotous classic comedy.

Byline: PHILIP KEY

OVER the years, the irrepressible Northern Broadsides has delivered trail-blazing and often astounding work and, led by founder Barrie Rutter, it arrives back in Liverpool with a riotous adaptation of the classic Greek comedy Lysistrata.

In a collaboration with Bolton's Octagon Theatre the Yorkshire-based outfit are staging Lisa's Sex Strike, which they declare has the sub-title of: "No more nooky 'til the fighting stops".

Directed by Conrad Nelson and written by Blake Morrison - and also featuring Barrie Rutter in the cast - the production follows on from their sidesplitting collaboration of last year with The Man With Two Gaffers.

It is - says the publicity folk - a world premiere.

As in the original Greek version, racial tensions are ripping apart a mixed community and something must be done decides the feisty Lisa. So she encourages the women of Blackhurst to impose a sex strike but with hilarious consequences.

But Morrison is known for a quirky take on such tales and the women make a disturbing discovery that turns their little local dispute into a demonstration of global proportions.

Apart from Rutter - who in recent years has been taking his "off the wall" dramatic interpretations to China where he has won over legions of theatre-goers - the cast includes Seema Brown, Becky Hindley, Michael Hugo, Chook Sibtain, Flo Wilson and Chris Nayak.