THERE'S a secret backlash going on in Blackpool -- a dignified rage against nasty swearing, violence, nudity, black comedy and all things modern. And the Grand's rep season couldn't be faring better.

This week's offering, Beside the Seaside, was a bit lost on young whippersnappers like me (I like to think) but certainly went down a treat with the more mature in the audience.

It recounts a week at the fictitious 1950s Seaview guest house, Blackpool.

While guests Wilf and Ethel Pearson struggle with their wilful daughter Sally, Ethel's mother and each other, honeymooning newlyweds Mr and Mrs Pepper find out what married life is all about, 'theatricals' Tony Brett and Pat Marlow go their separate ways and Florrie the waitress smooths over the wake left by tyrannical landlady Mrs Austin.

Famous faces in the cast included Jonathon Morris as a Frank Spencer-esque Pepper, Chloe Newsome (Sally) and Sally Ann Matthews (Florrie), both ex-Coronation Street, Sabina Franklyn (Ethel) and Bobby Knutt (Wilf), ex-Emmerdale.

I know times have changed, but the Steptoe-style humour of this Leslie Sands play was a tad dated and predictable. I guess for those who remember the 1950s, a lot of the situations, reactions and humour struck a chord for there was lots of laughter.

One or two technical slip-ups on Tuesday -- a phone that kept ringing after it was answered, a black-out relit before the curtain was fully down, music so loud it obscured dialogue -- created a bit of a village hall feel.

But it's worth seeing just to remember (or discover) what rep's all about.

Beside the Seaside runs nightly at Blackpool Grand Theatre until Saturday. To book phone the box office on 290190.

reviewed by Nikki Masters