Champ is about a group of down and out actors working in a mall as oversized teddy bears to entertain small children.

The three guys, covered in hot, dirty fur suits are cute on the outside but disgruntled on the inside. Audiences will love to hate this trio with their propensity for very bad language - the swear bears.

Elliot, Stanley and Melvin are struggling to hold on to their remaining dignity in a thankless job - made worse by the fact that they are trained actors. During one of their shopping centre shows, they encounter a devious child hell-bent on making their day worse than it already is. Through a combination of exhaustion, wounded pride, middle-class disaffection and a little too much alcohol early in the day, they enter into a battle with the mischievous little boy and set in motion a series of events that will not necessarily change their lives, but perhaps make the day a little more interesting. Champ is a dark comedy about haves, have-nots, want-nots, up-starts, young bucks, old farts, little men, big boys and an inevitable slide into booze-fuelled depression.

The absorbing production, with its funny, fast paced script and naughty bad bear language, features an outstanding cast of actors including Fleur du Cap award winning Nicholas Pauling, with Darren Araujo,  Adam Neill, Kerstin Francis and Mark Elderkin.

Champ runs from 4 to 20 October with tickets R85 via Computicket outlets and 0861 915 8000. Special discounts are available for students and groups of 10 or more and additional offers are available via Artscape box office on 021 421 7695