So, can you find humour in anything? There are some fundamental questions involved in Beyond A Joke at Malvern Theatres this week. Could Jeeves and Wooster's creator PG Wodehouse have let the Second World War pass him by - even though he himself was jailed by the Germans?

Were the middle class 'artistocrats' able to steer away from the realities of atrocity?

Well it seems so. Monday's Gala Night performance of Roger Milner's new play saw a welcome return of Anton Rodgers and Angela Thorne to Malvern Theatres. Both were at their best at unravelling, what must be to most people, a new perspective on PG.

The play's set in Paris with Plum (PG) and Ethel living the life of Riley at a luxurious hotel in a newly-liberated, war-torn country. Along with their Pekinese, Wonder, their lives consist of writing, shopping, socialising and raids on the mini-bar.

While war events unfold around them - resistance reprisals and the disastrous outcome of the Battle of Arnhem - PG is faced with defending his accusations of collaborating with the Germans. He admits he was a "silly ass".

British Intelligence officer Malcolm Muggeridge (yes that one) is dispatched to investigate. The case deals specifically with PG's amiable broadcasts about internment under the Nazis. They led to him being accused of being a traitor; not everyone got the joke.

Milner's play is a fascinating window on social class and historical drama. Ethel and Plum are cocooned from War. Money doesn't matter especially when you've got loads.

Ian Gelder, as Muggeridge the voice of reason, is exceptional in his support to Rodgers and Thorne's finely-tuned performances.

Can you make a joke out of anything? Well, it's all a matter of timing (remember Hogan's Heroes) and you've just got time to catch Beyond a Joke before the run ends tomorrow (Saturday).

JOHN MURPHY