Vale's newest theatre company takes to road (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Vale's newest theatre company takes to road

WORCESTERSHIRE'S newest theatre company, created in Evesham, takes to the road this summer with a series of outdoor performances guaranteed to tickle the fancy.

RITES comprises two one-act farces based on rural village life. They have been specially written by award-winning scriptwriter Simon Andrew Stirling for the Red Light Company's first production.

"We started with a script that had been tried out before," he explained. "It concerned a group of men trying to rehearse a Morris Dance while the women were having a marital aids party. Naturally, chaos ensues."

When Lynn Davies, freelance outreach officer at Evesham Arts Centre, set up a new theatre company for local enthusiasts, Simon was called upon to overhaul his original script and to add a new second half. In the second play, the villagers are at war over the touchy subject of bell-ringing.

The women get together and form a plan to bring the men to their senses.

The tour takes in The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, on August 19, The Lenches Sports and Recreation Club on August 20 and Raphael's at Hampton Ferry on August 29. The highlight is a three-night run at The Hunter's Lodge, Sinton Green, as part of the Worcester Festival on August 23, 23 and 25. Food and drinks will be available at all the performances.

Tickets for The Fleece, the Lenches and Hampton Ferry are available from the TIC at the Almonry, Evesham, on 01386 446944 and cost £8. Tickets for Hunter's Lodge can be ordered via Worcester Festival box office on 01905 611427 at £8 (£7 concessions). The plays have a limited amount of adult content and are aimed at 12 upwards.