THIS year's autumn production by Wythall Theatre Company is a side-splitting adult comedy which takes to the Palace Theatre stage this week.

The Opposite Sex, by David Tristram, runs from today until Saturday, where the pasts of couples Mark and Vicky and Judith and Eric come crashing back to haunt them.

Fate intervenes at a chance meeting between the characters, one which could have made for a pleasant evening. But it is not long before what should have been a friendly dinner party turns into a social nightmare.

As it starts to become clear what the common denominator between them is, the air soon becomes thick with insults, black eyes and broken chins.

Palace Theatre publicity officer Paul Hughes said: "This adult domestic comedy will have you in stitches from curtain up to curtain down and it won't be long before you start to recognise characters and situations that may have appeared in your own life."

Mr Hughes added the Wythall Players would be taking the production to a Birmingham pub for three nights after the Palace performances.

He said: "The play lends itself to that sort of genre and the company thought it would be a different experience to take theatre out to the public in a pub setting."

Performances at the Palace start at 7.30pm and tickets cost £6, £5 (disc rate) and £4 (with Reddicard) from the box office on 65203.

There is also a special party rate where for every 10 tickets bought, the 11th is free.