For some, the worst possible F-word is not the one associated with procreation. Fracking is their greatest insult, against the planet one supposes.

Certainly the F-word in both forms gets plenty of usage in Alistair Beaton's new comedy-cum-climate change drama at Chichester.

Joe, the obnoxious PR spokesman for fictitious fracking company Deerland Energy resorts to the more traditional usage of the F-word far too often for even his employers' tastes.

On the other hand, those ranged against the company's plans to start drilling in the village pronounce fracking with all the bile and venom they can muster.

And they need to eschew any Middle-England niceties if they are to see off Joe and the pro- fracking forces ranged against them.

Certainly Beaton ensures that just about everyone on the pro- side is difficult to like, from the councillor on the take, to the company bosses attempting to cover up a nasty secret in the North, to the dim but obliging local mayor.

But it is spin-man Joe, played with wonderful cynicism by Oliver Chris who is the true villain in the pack, willing to turn the screws on anyone, including his clients, to achieve his aims.

In the anti camp are a predictable gaggle of thrown together campaigners: feisty middle- aged Jenny and her 22- year- old toy boy fellow 'protectioner' laid-back Sam, and angry but respectable OAPs Elizabeth, played by the fabulous Anne Reid, and husband Jack, played by the ever- dependable James Bolan.

Elizabeth's journey from law- abiding citizen trusting in the democratic process, to the belligerent advocator of direct action lies at the heart of Beaton's somewhat clumsy attempt to persuade the audience that democracy is broken and protest, even violent, is all that is left.

I'm not certain the audience at Winchester will have gone along with such sentiments, even if they did roar with laughter at what must have been newly added topical jokes regarding Brexit and the state of Southern Rail.

Most present appeared to enjoy the gentle eighties' style humour - I kept expecting Terry and June to wander into the kitchen scenes - but it doesn't fit well with what is a rather unbalanced attack on the fracking industry.

Beaton would have progressed his cause better if he had given us at least one sympathetic character that supported fracking as many in Britain do.

In the end I came to the conclusion the only character who was being truly honest was greasy Joe.

Fracking runs until August 6