WE often look at the world of politics and, as outsiders, think that if it wasn’t so serious, all the shenanigans would be funny.

James Graham’s award-winning play, which is at the Lowry for the first time, proves that by serving up an evening which is in turns enlightening, entertaining, at times uproarious and also surprisingly poignant. Not what you’d expect about a fictionalised account of life in the House of Commons between 1974 and 1979.

Set mainly in the whips' offices, the audience gets a crash course in democracy. There’s an argument that This House should be made compulsory for anyone who says politics is too complicated - by the end of the evening you will understand pairing, protocol and the some of the arcane rituals which keeps the country moving.

Although slightly long - it’s on stage for a good two and a half hours - it’s testament to what’s being served up that you don’t really notice the time passing.

And you don’t have to know any of the events which took place in the Seventies to follow this fast-moving treat.

A large cast play over 60 different MPs as the Labour and Tory whips struggle to control their ‘flock’. Labour’s paper thin majority means that no vote is guaranteed and it requires cunning, plotting and deceit to keep in power.

All the political heavyweights of the era - Wilson, Callaghan, Heath and Thatcher - are mentioned but don’t appear on stage. Instead we get an insight into the world of Bob Mellish, Walter Harrison, Humphrey Atkins and Jack Weatherill.

A live band, acres of beige and a story which resonates so much with today’s political scene, make this a show which should definitely get your vote.

Until Saturday. Details from www.thelowry.com