Air. Something we take for granted? That's the concept of Ben Elton's play Gasping, being performed in Blackburn from March 22.

Sir Chiffley Lockheart is an old-time pirate and corporate exec. His successful Lockheart Industries company has "a profit curve wound so far round the room it looks like a Blue Peter Christmas Appeal."

Philip, top dog at the company, has just thought of the ultimate money-making wheeze; a product so utterly brilliant it will surely make fizzy cola look like a tooth-rotting brown drink.

With additional puff from foxy PR Kirsten Carlton, Philip is about to whip up a media frenzy and launch his terrific idea on the world. But hold tight, because everyone's about to become rather breathless.

The play about greed, morals and privatised air has variously been described as "a raucous comedy" and "a sure fire hitmakes you breathless".

And this production, by Lancashire-based theatre group Seriously Entertaining, has had the thumbs up from Elton himself, who took time out of his own tour to offer advice and good luck to the cast.

Gasping is at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn from March 22 to March 25. More details are available by calling the Box Office on 01254 680137.