That authoritative tome, The Oxford Companion to the Theatre, defines farce as a form of popular comedy in which laughter is raised by horseplay and bodily assault in contrived and highly improbable situations. As a dramatic genre, it stands at the beginning of classical drama and has numbered Heywood, Moliere, Feydeau and Pinero among its many distinguished creators. London's West End has a particular affection and bent for farce, and Ray Cooney has written 17 of them, all populated by frantic men and scantily clad women. His Out Of Order, Sweetie!, at Andrews Lane Theatre, has had an Irish flavour sprinkled on the rib-tickling action. Conscientious objectors apart, laughter is virtually unavoidable. The cast includes Dessie Gallagher and Gail Fitzpatrick (left).