PURE English farce is being revived in Scarborough in a comedy that promises confusion, deception, mayhem and romance.

In the latest co-production between the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, and its fellow theatre-in-the-round, the Orange Tree in Richmond, London, Sam Walters revives Love's A Luxury.

Written by Guy Paxton and Edward V Hoile, this comedy was made into a film with Brian Rix, and was first staged by Walters at the Orange Tree 17 years ago.

For those not familiar with the Rix film or the play, Love's A Luxury is set in an idyllic cottage in the heart of the English countryside. It should be the perfect setting for theatre producer Charles Pentwick to recover from his marital troubles, and it would be even more perfect if Mrs Pentwick would join him.

If only she would realise that the episode with the young woman in London was all a big misunderstanding.

Instead of Mrs Pentwick, who should turn up but Mr Mole, just the kind of English eccentric Mr Pentwick would wish to avoid. The Mole role goes to Roger Sloman, a character actor best remembered for playing Keith in Mike Leigh's 1975 television play Nuts In May, and his three-year stint as Rocky in the revived Crossroads.

"This production is sort of a re-discovery. The play used to be performed a lot, but the Orange Tree hasn't done it since 1987, when the theatre was in a room above a pub," says Roger.

"We've been playing it for a month in Richmond and it's gone very well. It's fun and it has all the elements of a good English farce, with a chap dressing as a woman, lots of comings and goings and plenty of misunderstandings."

Mr Mole is a joy to play, he says. "He's a lovely eccentric character, an ex-Scout master, who sets up a small summer camp... on his own because he doesn't have any mates.

"That's why he calls round at the farmhouse cottage to say hello to Mr Pentwick, and that's how he comes to be involved in the plot."

Describe his character, Roger. "He can't stand too much entertainment. Too much croquet in the afternoon! He's in his 50s, he wears tank tops and shorts; you can picture him, can't you?" he says.

"If you are a character actor and you're handed a role such as Mr Mole, then it's lovely to play, and this job was even more attractive to me as I get to perform not only at the Orange Tree but also at the Stephen Joseph."

Indeed, he will have not one but two opportunities in Scarborough. Roger is to appear in Alan Ayckbourn's 20th anniversary revival of A Chorus Of Disapproval later this summer.

"I play Jarvis, the local landowner," he says. "He likes to listen to 'The Vanishing Sounds of Great Britain'."

Perhaps you should introduce him to Mr Mole, Roger. "Oh no! I don't think they would get on at all."

Love's A Luxury, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, in repertoire from this week until July 3. Box office: 01723 370541.

Updated: 09:29 Friday, June 04, 2004