KAFKA'S Dick by Alan Bennett is a strange but intriguing piece of theatre by a well known writer with a reputation.

This latest offering by the Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, is a surreal but humorous take on the life and literary legacy Franz Kafka.

Directed by Ian Hastings, it is an exploration of fame and intellect - with an avocado thrown in for good measure.

The first scene, set in the 1920s, sees sickly Kafka (Justin Shevlin) asking his friend Max Brod (Andonis Anthony, pictured) to burn all his work on his death.

But instead Brod publishes his books and letters the lot.

We switch to the 1980's suburban home of Sydney (John Biggins) and his ill-fulfilled wife Linda (Sherry Baines).

As she does her utmost to put some sparkle into their life, Brod arrives.

The excitement doesn't stop there. The man behind his best friend's posthumous rise to fame urinates on the couple's tortoise, which changes into Kafka. He has no idea he is a household name and Max and Sydney take great pains to conceal any evidence of fame.

Max Brod delivers some great lines while Justin Shevlin stands out as the introverted, awkward, Kafka.

The intimate setting was a credit to designer Terry Brown and almost stole the show for me when it came into its own in the quirky funny final scene. It beat the tortoise moment by far.

Kafka's Dick runs until February 28. For details call 01524-598500.