WELCOME to a family Christmas in which a drunken sister-in-law throws up on the carpet, a son wreaks havoc with the festive lights and his girlfriend creates chaos in the kitchen – in fact just a normal get together as told by playwright Alan Ayckbourn.

Dorchester Drama make the most of the comic possibilities in this riotous seasonal offering that takes place in the home of Beth, a recently bereaved widow who was dominated by her control freak of a husband Gordon and whose guests carry on the work of bossing her about.

Into the midst of this family from hell arrives a well-meaning but bumbling vicar whose prayers bring back the ghost of the ghastly Gordon, taking a break from re-organising heaven in order to run Beth’s life again.

Stella Hollis takes on the demanding role of Beth with immense skill, creating a suppressed personality who gradually comes to life as she confronts the past. She is the perfect foil for over-the-top family members like drunken Connie, a hilarious performance by Sarah Hayes, and Ashley Newman as her incompetent son.

Anthony Atkins is just right as the likeable but hopelessly inept vicar while Nick Heape comes back from the dead as Gordon, ready and willing to resume his place as head of the household.

Emma Follis is a suitably sulky girlfriend and Sam Kelly completes the cast as the local policeman in a production that is full of laughter and Ayckbourn observations.

The play continues for the rest of the week and is a great way to start the festive season.