A new play poking a little bit of fun at the church is set to open tonight.

'Church Folk Make Me Laugh Too: The Revenge of the Ushers' is the latest offering from The Richard Allen Toni's Drama Ministry and is a sequel to 'Church Folks Make Me Laugh' which played last April.

Director, producer, playwright and actor Cyril Simmons said the play was aimed at anyone who was after some good clean fun. "It is aimed at both churchgoers and non-church members alike," he said.

"Many times one may hear comedians poking fun at church people. My feeling is that we as church folk can do a better job poking fun at ourselves!

"It's all a part of the love and enjoyment of life that God has blessed us with."

Other members of the cast and crew include June-Ann Furbert, as assistant director; and thespians Dean Foggo, Velma Anderson, Audrey Hollis, Kenisha Francis, Janet Smith, Zina Darrell, Kristen Darrell, Francine Trott, Mahtorrie Wilkinson and Thulisa Mandonci.

Although Mr. Simmons wrote much of the production, he said other team members also contributed sketches.

"Our play is a sketch comedy production, like 'In Living Color' and 'Saturday Nite Live'," he said.

"There are popular sketches, which are a sequel to our first production such as 'De Babylon' and 'Christianese 102'. There are also video clips that I wrote scripts for. We have a creative team!"

One of the initial challenges Mr. Simmons' had was acting and directing. "It is very difficult to direct the flow when you are also a part of it," he said.

"Coordinating the behind-the-scenes details can easily be underestimated as well. Fortunately, I have a wonderful technical team who have been very supportive and understand how critical these details are."

The production is compilation of funny scenes either taken from things you might see in church or everyday life.

"Some of the skits have a spiritual tone and some are just good clean fun," he said. "The sketch 'Church Idol' is a take on the popular show 'American Idol' and the skit 'When Pastors Not Around' highlights the duality that people can demonstrate when a 'person of the cloth' is in their midst.

"There is also sketch called 'Revenge of the Ushers', which highlights how a position of hospitality can easily turn to hostility. The central theme is that God wants us to enjoy life."

Mr. Simmons added: "Church people are some of the funniest people around.

"As church people, we have our own culture and language. It's funny to me when you ask a Christian a simple question like, 'How are you doing?' and they reply with a five minute sermonette.

"Church folk also have a tendency to over emphasise and overdo things that have very little connection with a relationship with God and faith, such as titles within the church.

"Hence, the teacher for the Christianese course is named Sister Right Rev. Dr. Prophetess Goldstein."

The play opens tonight at The Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts at 7.30 p.m. Showtime for tomorrow night is the same. Tickets $20, are available at People's Pharmacy, Christian Bookstore, Caesar's Pharmacy, and All Talk in St. George's. For further information or $60 Patron tickets call 297-2327. Part proceeds go towards the Tonia Minors Perseverance Award Scholarship Fund.