The inspiration for Stroke of Luck came from a moment of truth, as with all of the best comedy. And as Friday's premier proved, what started as one bright spark for new playwright Larry Belling has emerged into a shameless, charming comic gem.

On the day of his wife's funeral Lester Riley (Tim Pigott-Smith), who has lately suffered a stroke, announces to his three estranged children that he is getting married. More specifically, he intends to marry his sexy Japanese nurse (Julia Sandiford), 37 years his junior. His daughter Cory (Kirsty Malpass), and sons Ike and Monroe (Fergal McElherron and Andrew Langtree) are already bound up in the twists of their own lives but, horrified by Lester's imminent plans and scared of losing their inheritance, they begin to plot and scheme to prevent the marriage going ahead. In the process they discover a few surprising things about old Lester and, despite appearances, it turns out he's got a few tricks of his own.

Brace yourself for the American humour. Stroke of Luck makes for stark contrasts with Brit comedy, but don't let that put you off. This is a play with a perfect sense of comic timing and a roaring lust for life. Like Lester Riley, the tireless optimist and persistent charmer, the play will wear you down with stubborn appeal.

At points the American performance almost edges on overdone but is saved by early anticipation. Clichés are used to comic effect and near-slapstick scenes are given a slick of originality – watch out for the bed making scene which brought on a spontaneous round of applause from the audience.

The whole show feels a little like watching a Hollywood production shrunk down to stage size. The hard New York accents, Monroe's pin stripes and braces and Ike's layabout style all add to this. The elegant panel-based set and film-like sound effects amount to a smooth production.

This is Larry Belling's first full-length play. It has been in the works for some time and came directly from his own experience. Like the play, Larry's father had been in bed following a stroke. When Larry's mother died, he was stunned to hear his father announce at the memorial that he was going to marry his twenty-something year old nurse. He recalls how he and his brother and sister thought the whole thing was terribly funny and it sparked off stories from friends about relatives ripped off by retirement-home predators. He realised it was an idea worth pursuing and the play gradually came to life.

When I met Larry ahead of the opening night he recounted enough stories and experiences to fill an eventful novel. Speaking to him you get the sense of a man who has been there at the right time – his stories include, amongst other things, going on tour with the Rolling Stones back in 1974, running a Californian recording studio with Pink Floyd producer James Guthrie, working as a publicist for major broadway shows and being the first American voice on Capital Radio (he does voiceovers too).

Larry's broadway days of watching almost every new play on offer gave him the opportunity to soak up more theatre than your average person would watch in a lifetime. He admits to being a big fan of Arthur Miller and in Stroke of Luck you can see the echoes of Miller's moral resolution in way the characters are ultimately forced to face up to their own natures. His experiences have amounted to a story with an immensely satisfying plot, an undeniably lovable play... and a dig in the ribs to appreciate your parents before they're gone.

Stroke of Luck is showing at the Park Theatre until 2nd March. Tickets available at the Park Theatre website.