With such a complex work to deal with, the company does an admirable job especially given the hurdles they have to leap over in order to achieve this. Not least of which is the fact this is a uniquely American production and none of the cast is American - uniquely or otherwise.

This singular barrier is met with all the gusto and verve that you would expect, however, whether due to the fast paced nature of the farce, or the multiple roles actors had to tackle, I found the accents started to wane towards the end of the first act. This of course could be seen as a minor point if you consider the bolts that hold the Sydney Harbour Bridge together, to be minor points in its construction.

It's a shame because everything else is done so bloody well. The dialogue is embraced with a crispness lacking in most productions and the sets actually work. I mean they really work. When we first arrive we are greeted by an upstanding bed bound Yossario (played by James Gauci). A deceptively simple piece of set design which allows the first ten or so minutes to work without being laboured.

The cast holds the line and embrace their characters well; and they are funny. And while the audience is never rolling in the aisles, quite often their laughter is playing a game of catch up to the pace and wit of the play.

Even with the strength of the cast there was one clear show stopper. Alex Lanham who took on four different roles throughout the play and played each of the characters with real skill. He stood out - like the sets - mainly for his ability to blend so seamlessly into each role. That's not to detract from the other performances with Gauci really nailing the lead role and Elizabeth Best providing more than ample support in various roles - most notably that of Nurse Duckett. On the whole a good interpretation of the 20th century classic.

‘Catch 22’ is playing at the Brisbane Arts Theatre until April 3.