Newchurch Drama Group – which recently won a major theatrical award for the best amateur drama production for the South of England – is to stage one of the best-loved farces for its autumn production this week.

The group this summer won a National Operatic and Dramatic Awards (NODA) Trophy for the best play in the region, as well as being recently nominated for two IOW County Press theatre awards.

The Newchurch group is staging the popular comedy ‘Noises Off’ in the village community hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 27, 28 and 29 October starting at 7.30pm.

The farce, written by Michael Frayn, was premièred in London in 1982 starring Patricia Routledge and Paul Eddington. It went on to long runs of critical acclaim in both Broadway and the West End, and was later made into a film starring Michael Caine.

The Newchurch set designers have had to construct a revolving stage in the community hall since this is a ‘play about a play’ and much of the action switches between front of stage and back stage as a fictional touring theatre group try, with farcical results, to stage a play called ‘Nothing On’.

Tickets for the three performances, directed by Alan Johnson, cost £7 each and are available in advance from Veronica Ringer on 865543 or Pat Williamson on 867189 or at the door on the night.