HAROLD Pinter's 'The Caretaker' is effortlessly funny and disturbingly sinister - and the English Touring Theatre's production at The Lowry achieves both elements to great effect.

The action centres around the tramp Davies (Malcolm Storry) and his relationship with two brothers who own a ramshackle house in a London slum.

The homeless vagrant is taken in by Aston (Julian Lewis-Jones) and Mick (Lee Boardman) and is at first welcomed with the promise of a bed and a possible job as caretaker of the house.

However as the old saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt, and so Davies is offered opportunities by Mick on one hand, only to be ridiculed at the next.

Whilst Aston eventually tires of the old man's snoring and constant demands, including his desire for a new pair of shoes, a bread knife and a clock.

Many in the audience will recognise Mick as Coronation Street's Jez Quigley, one of the soap's best ever bad boys, and he succeeds in bringing a real nastiness to his character.

But the relationship between Davies and Aston is at the heart of the play and both actors brought life, animation and enthralling sadness to their characters.

The play is arguably one of Pinter's finest and the atmosphere the three actors generate make a visit to catch The Caretaker worthwhile.

The production runs until Saturday.

The Caretaker by Harold Pinter

Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays