never swear or shout in their all singing, all dancing show.

Their humour is that of an age gone past, where puns are aplenty and innuendo is so light it comes in the form of a rubbing of a thigh or at most a risque unbuttoning of a stiff white shirt.

But the poking of fun at the mundane every day lives of middle class England is intelligent, and in fact, despite all odds, very, very funny.

And while not everyone in Bermuda will appreciate jokes about trains in England being delayed because of the `wrong kind of snow', the witty lyrics of the quartet brought the house down.

Unlikely lines like `I feel like a carnivore, eating my lobster thermidor' about a love-struck lobster which is eventually eaten by the singer brought guffaws from the audience.

The stuff and nonsense songs about a wannabe pseudo art critic, a much hated garden shed, and (believe it or not) bird seed had women and men wiping tears from their eyes.

Organisers failed to get programmes to the venue at Ruth Seaton James Centre -- they were locked up in City Hall -- but the audience soon stopped grumbling and became engrossed in the show.

The predominantly English or Anglophlie crowd got a touch of nostalgia about old England.

But judging from the roars of laughter, the jokes went down well universally.

The immaculately dressed quartet sang a harmony number called Paradise in Tring, stating that they tried but failed to write one about Bermuda.

"There is not a single word in the English language that rhymes with Bermuda,'' said Peter Christie, who, along with David Barlow an Alan Maryon have been Instant Sunshine for over 30 years.

They teamed up when they were at medical school in 1966 when the entertainment at a hospital Christmas show didn't turn up, and they stepped in. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Recently the team was joined by Tom Barlow (David's son) who plays the bass.

Together they are a compelling team. Watch each one individually and it is a show in itself. They are a riot of stiff-upper-lippedness, a harmony of quiet humour.

This is not rock 'n' roll comedy. It is not sexy, or cool. It is certainly not alternative. What it is... is simply very, very entertaining.

Instant Sunshine: Performed at the Ruth Seaton James Centre last night.

REVIEW REV THEATRE THR