IT'S been a book, a song, countless films of drastically fluctuating quality, and even a musical starring a specially-stubbled Cliff Richard.

Now Wuthering Heights has returned from the grave in its unlikeliest form yet - a comedy.

Emily Bront's 19th century classic of passion on the Yorkshire moors is revived by Oddsocks theatre group next week at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, and promises to get the festive season off to a side-splitting start.

As any GCSE English student will tell you, the original version of Wuthering Heights is not exactly packed with laughs. Telling the story of the doomed love affair between the psychotic Heathcliff (given to violently thrashing whoever happens to be nearest at moments of stress and leaving dead dogs instead of flowers on his beloved's doorstep) and the stubborn, self-willed Catherine Earnshaw, it's an epic tale of love, hate and revenge across the generations, all played out against the desert-like wilderness of the moors.

In Oddsocks' version, all the original characters are present - but far from correct.

Doomed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff strop on the moors, the lonely neighbours offer them company in more ways than one, the master of the house takes to the bottle and housekeeper Nelly Dean turns agony aunt and shares a recipe or two.

The cast of five play all the 12 characters in the light-hearted show, which is suitable for all ages.

There will also be plenty of audience participation - so start practising your Laurence Olivier impressions now.

You can see Wuthering Heights from December 3-8. Performances start at 7.45pm. For tickets call 023 9264 9000.

See today's Daily Echo ( Tues) for your chance to win tickets.