AN extremely talented cast, a director who has an innovative approach to familiar material and the result is an unqualified success, writes Terri Baker.

This was the Jewish Theatre Group's aptly titled You don't have to be Jewish, which attracted capacity audiences for its two- night run at the Bury Hebrew Congregation hall.

Jewish humour has universal appeal, which is proved by the fact that this evening of humour was based on an album You dont have to be Jewish, produced in America by Bob Booker (who is not Jewish).

Although most of the jokes have been heard since the 60s, when the album was produced, director Debbie Margolis ensures that each situation is brilliantly brought to life with a succession of quickfire sketches, with the comedy emerging mint fresh.

She was well served by an experienced cast, all of whom have taken lead roles in J.T.G. productions. They included veteran performers Norman Pearlman, Merton Paul, Philip Greene, Deborah Finlay, Marilyn Bar-Ilan, Joan Sherman, Heather Bowman and comparative newcomer, joining the group in 2000, Howard Yaffe. Stepping up from the junior section Adam Paulden and Katie Bernstein made a great impression. All offered highly polished performances, delivering their lines with a terrific sense of comedy timing.

The sketches were interspersed with familiar songs from the album accompanied at the piano by Bryan Calvert. Full marks to the back stage crew, whose swift change of props contributed to an evening of continuous laughter enthusiastically received.