THE season of goodwill and merriment is nigh but beware, the Christmas holiday doesn't always bring out the best in families.

That is particularly true when it comes to life as seen through the eyes of comedy playwright Alan Ayckbourn.

The festive frolic Seasons Greetings, performed by the Vortex Theatre Company, reveals how Neville and Belinda cope with a Christmas holiday that lurches from one disaster to another.

Extending the Christmas spirit to all, they spend the holiday surrounded by an array of visiting friends and relatives.

Somehow Neville (played by Jonathan Mayer) and Belinda (played by Sue Dowsett) manage to keep smiling through family friction and squabbles.

Even a dreadful children's puppet show doesn't wipe away their mask of fun. But their hard work cannot stop the inevitable and disaster strikes.

Seasons Greetings, directed by Frances Chanter, brings out the best and worst of the festive time. The audience is bound to cringe as they recognise events, emotions and situations the couple come up against.

The Vortex Theatre Company is run by Paul Alvarez, who plays a retired security officer called Harvey. He said: "The play is a typical family Christmas with lots of squabbling and plenty of hilarity in places. It is typical Ayckbourn and begins with a lot of comedy, but has a surprise ending that goes with a bang."

Seasons Greetings is at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford, from Thursday to Saturday, November 29 to December 1 at 8pm with a Saturday matinee at 3pm. Tickets cost £6.25.

For further details and to book your tickets ring the box office on 8553 4466.