This revival of Tom McGrath’s first play will be nearing the end of its tour when the first anniversary of the writer’s death falls at the end of next month.

That would be reason enough to applaud Alasdair McCrone’s revival, as a timely celebration of that influential figure of Scottish arts and letters. Most importantly, it should find a new audience for McGrath’s superb tale of the comedy duo.

Mull Theatre director McCrone is an old hand at Stan, and Barrie Hunter is his fifth Ollie since 1988.

The play’s Traverse premiere was 12 years before that, but it has not dated at all. In fact, structurally it seems very modern indeed, with the first half in particular jumping wildly between conventional narrative and all sorts of playfulness at the expense of conventional theatricality.

Even on opening night, both actors were impressively on top of all the demands of slapstick, accents and the wild switches of character and location that are asked of them. When it is fully “run in”, McCrone’s production – on a fine set by Alicia Hendrick – could well be a definitive version of the piece. Although there is a more linear story after the interval, McGrath’s play is less biography than an investigation of what made Stan and Ollie so great – and McCrone and Hunter are good enough to provide some examples of that in case you don’t already know. Off stage, neither of them look much like their characters, but while girth might be an issue, it is never a problem.

Laurel & Hardy tours to May 1, playing Innellan Village Hall tonight, Cove Burgh Hall tomorrow and the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh on Friday and Saturday. See www.mulltheatre.com.

Star rating: ****