Just the prescription at GOH

Dirk Benedict, star of hit shows The A-Team and Battlestar Galactica, dons the famous raincoat of Lieutenant Columbo to star in 'Columbo, Prescription Murder'.

The story takes us to three very authentic locations in LA in 1968, the only nod to contemporary society is that Columbo isn't allowed to smoke his trademark cigar on stage.

'Prescription Murder' was originally written for the stage and became the first TV episode to feature Peter Falk. It sees Columbo try to crack a case involving the murder of a psychiatrist's wife.

Some of the action is slightly more pantomime in a stage setting and there's more humour than in the TV version.

Dirk Benedict says he's never seen Columbo. I don't believe him. His interpretation of the character is too close to Peter Falk's to argue he hasn't studied a few episodes. But that's not to say he isn't magnificent as the through-other Lieutenant. The Columbo they know and love so well is exactly what this audience want to see and 'Faceman' doesn't disappoint.

Just one more thing... tickets, priced from 8.50 to 28, are available from the box office in the theatre foyer, online at www.goh.co.uk or by calling 9024 1919. Columbo: Prescription Murder runs until Saturday in the Grand Opera House.