A COMEDY from master of farce Michael Cooney is presented by Skipton Little Theatre this month.

Cash on Delivery comes from an accomplished British stage and TV scriptwriter who followed in the footsteps of his famous farce-writing father Ray Cooney.

In the play, Eric Swan and his Uncle George have pocketed thousands of pounds through fraudulent Department of Work and Pensions claims.

When lodger Norman Bassett opens the door to Mr Jenkins, the DWP Inspector, deceptive mayhem follows — as do an undertaker, bereavement counsellor, psychiatrist, Norman’s fiancee, a corpse, the ominous Ms Cowper and a rather rebellious washing machine.

Theatre spokesman Patrick Smith said: “Michael Cooney’s riotous farce has all the ingredients for rib-tickling hilarity and offers a colourful selection of characters.”

Michael Cooney, born in 1967, has had a rich career in playwriting, screenwriting, children’s literature and young adult fiction.

He adapted his stage play The Dark Side into the film Murder in Mind for HBO, which starred Nigel Hawthorne, Mary Louise Parker and Jimmy Smits.

Michael’s adaptation of his second stage thriller Point of Death became the movie The I Inside, starring Ryan Philippe. Other screenwriting credits include Identity, Jack Frost, and its sequel Jack Frost 2 – Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman.

Michael Cooney now lives in Los Angeles.

Cash on Delivery runs from Tuesday to Saturday, June 11-15, at 7.30pm at the theatre in Clifford Street next to Tesco.

Visit skiptonlittletheatre.org.uk to book tickets for the play Cash on Delivery .