FORGET Sex in the City - it's more a case of sex in Southampton this week as Esso Music and Drama Group perform their decidedly saucy autumn production.

Two and Two Together is a comic romp about relationships, written by Derek Benfield, revolving around two couples living in the same street.

When Rachel suddenly announces she has taken up rowing, her husband Victor fails to realise that it's sporting activities of a very different nature she's actually indulging in - with a young man in the house of her good friend Georgina.

But, then, Victor has other things on his mind - in the shape of Georgina, with whom he is having secret liaisons while her husband Henry, an actor, is treading the boards.

When a show is cancelled and Henry returns home unexpectedly, the two philandering couples have to give the performance of their lives to try and conceal their guilty secrets.

Making his debut as a director is Peter Allen, a performer with Esso for 30 years.

"I was a little nervous taking on this project, as directing is new to me, but the cast have been wonderful and are really throwing themselves into this saucy play," he says.

Also making his debut, this time as a performer, is Dave Edwards. Normally hidden in the lighting box, Esso's technical wizard, whose team has scooped Curtain Call Awards for Best Lighting and Effects for three consecutive years, has been persuaded to come out from behind the spotlight.

"When you're in charge of lighting you know you're in control, but with acting an alter ego takes over which has been really interesting for me," says Dave, who last acted at school over 30 years ago.

"It's a brilliant part to do - I never thought I'd be seen on stage, let alone in baggy pants and a vest!"

Waterside Theatre, Holbury, October 24 - 26. Tickets: £6 (concessions available). Box office: 023 8084 1533