THE phrase "that's what friends are for" will never seem quite the same again after you've laughed your way through this brilliant play that's stormed world stages over the past seven years.

Its success is down to the superb English translation from the original French and the fact that the subject matter strikes a chord with everyone.

Basically it's about three middle aged men who have been mates for decades and what happens to their friendship when one of them -- financially successful dermatologist Serge played by Nigel Havers -- spends 200,000 francs on a painting, a piece of modern art in the form of a totally white canvas!

Marc (Leigh Lawson) does not approve, he's furious that his pal could have paid a fortune for something that he will not accept as art.

Then there's the third pal in the triangle Yvan (played by Roger Lloyd Pack better known as Trigger in Fools and Horses). He wants them all to stay friends and not have rows -- some hope.

But what an absolutely delightful 90 minutes of bitching, point scoring and needling!

ART, The Lowry, Salford. Until Saturday, details from the box office on 0870 111 2000.