FARCICAL goings-on and convoluted cover-ups are not unusual in the Houses of Parliament.

However, they have been given a novel twist by master playwright Ray Cooney in Out of Order at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from May 31 to June 5.

Featuring an all-star cast headed by Paul Shane (Hi De Hi) and 'Allo, 'Allo's Vicki Michelle (pictured), it's a comedy about what happens when a government minister crosses the party line.

Junior Minister Richard Willey aims to spend the evening with a typist from the opposition party, but his amorous plans go awry when they find a dead body in their hotel room.

Richard calls for help from his Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), but lie builds upon lie as they plan an intricate cover-up.

Cooney, whose mammoth list of West End credits includes Run for your Wife, Life Begins at Forty, Don't Dress for Dinner and It Runs in the Family, comments that the secret of good comedy is disaster.

"I'm not searching for a 'comedy' plot or a 'funny' storyline," he explains.

"I'm searching for a tragedy. Farce, more than comedy, is akin to tragedy.

"In Out of Order, a Cabinet Minister's illicit evening in a London hotel is brought to an abrupt halt when he and the young lady discover a dead body in the bedroom.

"The Government could fall and so he embarks on a cover-up that risks both his marriage and his political future."

"In real life - as politicians know - this situation brings tragedy.

"In Out of Order it also brings laughter, because the audience knows what's at stake for the characters in the play."

Tickets for the play, which cost from £13 to £24.50 with concessions available, can be purchased from 01483 440000.