IT’S tempting to think of horror and comedy as completely different genres. But, according to Stretford writer David Issac, a gag writer on the hit BBC sitcom Not Going Out, they have more in common than you’d might think.

David has teamed up with fellow writer and pal Peter Slater to bring us The House That Stank Of Death, four short horror comedies that will be performed at one of Manchester’s landmark pubs.

“Horror and comedy are quite similar because they both rely on surprises. With horror you want shocks, but with comedy you get laughs because you build your audience up to expect something and then you subvert it and give them something that they don’t expect. Horror and comedy are very similar in that way and if you follow those rules you can mix it up,” he says.

What can we expect from his two plays?

“The Last Temptation of Gary is about a guy who is depressed and he’s given up on his life. In his final moments, he’s about to commit suicide and the Devil appears to him and gives him a choice. The other one is called Lost in The Woods and it’s about two girls who go on a camping trip and they end up getting lost,” he says. * The Lass O’Gowrie pub, Charles Street, Manchester, presents The House That Stank Of Death by David Issac and Peter Slater from July 18-22 at 8pm. Tickets priced £5 are available on the night or in advance from www.thelass.co.uk