The intense, conflicting emotions of "this relationship thing" aren't restricted to either gender or any particular age group.

That point is made with heartfelt humour by Looking, the romantic Norm Foster comedy that launched its world premiere run at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia last night.

Smoothly directed by Brian McKay, the play profiles four middle-aged characters' desperate, yet funny, search for meaningful human companionship.

"One place is like another when you live alone," sighs socially inept Andy (Ralph Small), a divorced, storage space salesperson whose love life is in the deep freeze.

His buddy, morning radio personality Matt (Ed Sahely), glibly recommends some sure-fire pickup spots. They include topless beaches, orgy-ridden cruise ships and funeral homes: "All the women wear black, which is a very slimming colour -- and there's food." Ignoring Matt's "expert" advice, Andy opts for a personal ad, which is soon answered by Val (Melodee Finlay). She's an operating room nurse who hasn't had an intimate relationship since her divorce six years ago: "Two more celibate years and I regain my virgin status."

Idealistic Val's looking for "Mr. Right," but her sardonic friend, police officer Nina (Mary Long), is content to take the "Mr. Right Now" approach, which has produced a long line of casual sex partners.

The foursome set up a rendezvous at a pub whose name, the Private Dick, is a ready-made premise for easy laughs. As quirky fate would have it, the Nina-Matt duo clicks immediately, while the Val-Andy pairing ignites no passionate flame. So begins the dating game, an exercise that might be easy to abandon if its ultimate prize, true love, weren't worth all the excruciating effort.

The plot's double daters are brought to vivid life by very able, affable actors who seem keenly aware they're working with a winning, witty script that audiences will find difficult to resist.

This is yet another effective contemporary comedy from Foster, the prolific Canadian playwright whose previous credits include The Melville Boys, Wrong for Each Other, The Affections of May, Ethan Claymore, the musical Jasper Station and The Love List, which enjoyed a popular Victoria Playhouse run a year ago.

Its successor, Looking, appears destined to win a spot on Foster's fast-growing hit list.

IF YOU GO

What: Looking, by Norm Foster; a Victoria Playhouse Petrolia production directed by Brian McKay; featuring Melodee Finlay, Mary Long, Ed Sahely and Ralph Small

Where: Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, 411 Greenfield St., Petrolia

When: Till July 2; Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m., plus matinees Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m

Tickets: Adults $28, seniors $27, students $18; call 1-800-717-7694

Noel Gallagher is a Free Press reporter covering arts and entertainment.

Sun rating ( 4 out of 5 stars)