Triangle Theatre Company at the Hamilton Princess Hotel Incontinence, senility and the loneliness of old age might seem pretty depressing subjects on which to base a comedy. If there are two institutions that most people have the strongest fear of, it's hospitals and residential homes.

Nevertheless `A Month of Sundays' is a play full of gentle and occasionally dark humour that isn't afraid to face the indignities of old age head on -- and often comes out smiling.

The drama takes place at a genteel rest home in Surrey, in the south of England. The central character, Cooper, an elderly widower who decided to move into the home so as not to be a burden on his family, spends his time shut in his room holding court to some welcome, and some not so welcome guests.

While his body might be falling apart, Cooper's mind is still sharp, a faculty that he is determined to use to the full.

As a result, rather than wallowing in self pity, he flirts outrageously with his nurse, mocks his Welsh cleaning lady, and with his best friend and fellow resident Aylott, plays chess and indulges in schoolboyish banter.

But is the regular monthly visit by Cooper's daughter and nerdy son-in-law that Cooper dreads, making him realise that he is no longer wanted or needed.

His family take longer and longer to arrive and, once there, spend less and less time with him, sitting in embarrassed silence. And when a lame excuse is provided for the reason why Cooper's grandson hasn't arrived the old man is visibly crushed.

When Aylott's mind finally begins to wander, Cooper's world looks even more bleak. But, despite the cruelty of old age, Cooper the realist manages to find a reason for carrying on.

The acting of all six cast members is excellent with Richard Fell as Cooper putting in a particularly fine performance in what must be a marathon task.

Fell is never off stage throughout the two act, two hour-long performance -- apart from on the frequent occasions when his bladder lets him down and he has to shuffle off to the bathroom -- and he is frequently the only cast member on stage.

He plays the incredibly demanding role brilliantly and convincingly and is well supported by the rest of the cast, particularly by Carolyn Finch as Nurse Wilson and Angela Gentleman as Mrs. Baker.

Playwright Bob Larbey has come up with some wonderful lines and sympathetic characters in a play that is full of both humour and pathos. The Triangle Theatre Company has put on a slick, quality production that has done the writing justice and is a joy to watch.

`A Month of Sundays' will be running again this Thursday, Friday and Saturday and again on March 18, 19 and 20. A second run of eight performances is scheduled for next month.

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