THE limitless possibilities of radio plays are explored in this hilarious, high-speed comedy set in a late-night radio station.

Broadcasting live, actors, directors and producers butcher the first script of a sentimental housewife to suit their purposes. What was meant to be the story of Ritsuko escaping her dull, married life through Cupid's intervention in small, sleepy Atami, gathers unpredictable momentum. Ritsuko becomes the successful lawyer Mary Jane, and the actor playing her lover decides to live by flying rather than fishing, the setting has to be changed to New York and the whole cast is turned into exotic foreigners.

What follows is a parody of the action-romance genre, and a blurring of the boundaries between fiction and reality. Continuity gives way to a refreshing absurdity. The live broadcast is constantly interrupted by commercial breaks, news and other minor catastrophes, forcing us to reflect on the process of fiction making.

With an outstanding cast, "Welcome Back Mr. McDonald" leaves you breathless with laughter, but also offers a glimpse into the complex workings of Japanese social relations. Koki Mitani has a background in fringe theatre and always tries to create, in his own words, "an unorthodox piece of work". Although he pretends to lament his inability to do mainstream productions, we as viewers certainly don't.