IT'S probably fair to say that taking on the role of someone as eccentric, madcap and oddball as Spike Milligan would be a large enough challenge for the deftest of actors - and Michael Barrymore, who is known more as an entertainer than an actor certainly made a brave stab at the part on Wednesday night's performance.

Throughout the play, which is well-scripted by Richard Harris, Barrymore tried hard to unleash his Milligan, adding a funny voice here, a silly walk there and even a smile-raising stand-up routine in between.

Judging by the audience reaction, there's no question his efforts were entertaining, but there was a feeling we were seeing more Barrymore than Milligan.

Putting that aside, Barrymore did well at conveying just how complex Milligan's character was - happy, manic, depressed, even at times suicidal - and that was in part due to Harris' scripting.

But one criticism I would make is the overuse of expletives.

Some provided genuine humour, but the constant stream of swear words begins to wear you down by the end of the play.

Jill Halfpenny's solid performance as Milligan's long-running agent, manager and confidante, Norma Farnes, was the strongest of the night. She switched effortlessly between narrator and character and added a gentle, sentimental touch to the events of Milligan's life.

All in all, an insightful play with plenty of promise, which, with a few changes, could become something quite excellent.

Until Saturday, February 16