ALAN Ayckbourn has the knack of taking dark themes and splattering them with laughter.

His ingenuity knows no bounds, combining playfulness and comedy with uncomfortable social issues flavoured with the foibles and flaws of mere mortals who he often frames in a futuristic setting.

The master playwright returns to one of his favourite theatrical haunts next week with a gem of a play - a brand new production of his classic comedy Henceforward, playing the Old Laundry Theatre at Bowness from Tuesday, November 1 until Saturday, November 12.

The play was premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1987, then at London’s Vaudeville Theatre a year later in a production that won the Evening Standard Best Comedy Award.

This year’s revival follows a hugely successful production last year at a theatre in Germany. The production at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg opened in February 2015 and proved so popular, its run was extended and ended up playing for over a year.

Henceforward focuses on avant garde composer Jerome, played by Bill Champion, who all alone, high up in an isolated, derelict suburban tower block, struggles vainly to complete his life’s masterwork about love.

With the help of a deranged android childminder, he hatches a plan to retrieve his source of artistic inspiration, his beloved daughter Geain, from his hostile and estranged ex-wife.

But the best laid plans of men and mechanical women…

Alan's close friend and Old Laundry owner Roger Glossop has designed the set: "This is the third time I've done it - the original production in Scarborough, the transfer to the West End with Ian McKellen and Jane Asher and now this revival.

"It was only the second show I designed for him - I've now done over 60 separate designs for Alan. He is always a joy to work with and knows exactly what he wants. Simplicity, certainly in the round, is the name of his game and Alan is a master of stage craft. On top of that he has become the most gracious friend to Charlotte and myself and to the Old Laundry Theatre - I don't think people realise how lucky we are to have his support.

Roger says the show is challenging because it is set slightly in the future: "Many things Alan predicted 29 years ago have come to pass. The challenge on this production is for the audience to feel it still takes place in the future. He foresaw uses of artificial intelligence, video phones, self heating food, no go areas with female vigilantly security services etc, yet to be realised. Sexual health identity cards for the population. He also discusses transgender issues which back in the eighties was taboo.

"Above all Henceforward is a very, very funny and thought provoking piece, which shows his mastery of plotting.

"If I had to choose my favourite Ayckbourn, Henceforward would be top of my list."

Box office 08445-040604 and online at www.oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk.