But entertained isn't the word I was enthralled by the one-man play Lying, Cheating, Bastard at Riverside Theatres.

This is so much more than a tale about a card shark with magic thrown in it's a study in psychology.

James Galea is the infamous con man Jimmy Garcia, aka The Cricket.

The story begins with Jimmy as a young boy solving the mysteries of the side show.

He knows all about the milk bottles you can never knock over to win the prize and the ``dodgy clowns'' just waiting to swallow your money.

Jimmy is mentored by Frankie, a South African shyster who knows all the tricks.

Galea in his portrayal of Jimmy shows as he can be anything we want him to be revealing in the end we are just plain greedy when it comes to a gamble.

And all this is done with a charming manner and disarming grin.

``I always win, `cos I never go against the percentages, I always count the variables and don't leave anything to chance,'' says Garcia.

``Oh yeah and I cheat,''

It's impossible to tell what is actual story and where theatrical licence takes over.

``Everything I tell you is the truth maybe!'' Galea says with a twinkling in the eye.

Galea and his script collaborator and director Nicholas Hammond have written a show that combines the conventions of story-telling with the supernatural effects of illusion.

Special mention must also be made of Jo Briscoe's set and costume design and the lighting effects from Matthew Marshall.

Lying Cheating Bastard is on at Riverside Theatres until Saturday.