Spalding am-dram group holding rehearsals in Gosberton on Wednesday for first performance since lockdown

A popular amateur dramatics group is on the lookout for talent ahead of its first show back since the pandemic began.

St Nicholas Players is holding auditions in Gosberton tomorrow night (Wednesday) for the Pam Valentine play Spirit Level.

The play will be performed on the first week of November - and will be the group’s first ever show at the Spalding Services and Social Club, in High Street.

Director Martin Tyrrell, who starred in Spirit Level when it was performed in Bourne three years ago, said: “It’s a lovely play - it’s witty, heart warming and really nice, plus the last act is set around Christmas time and we are putting it on in November so it gives people a nice seasonal evening.”

The play features a dead crime writer and his wife who haunt the cottage they once lived in.

There are seven parts to cast - from the ghostly duo through to a pompous estate agent and a guardian angel.

Mr Tyrrell said no previous acting ability is necessary - and he’d welcome newcomers.

He said: “There could be some brilliant actors waiting in the wings that have never done it before. I got into it about 11 years ago and had not done it before - now I have done 21 productions.”

St Nicholas Players was in the midst of dress rehearsals for Alan Bennett comedy Lady in the Van when the pandemic struck.

Mr Tyrrell said: “We are looking forward to it, it’s been 18 months now. The last thing we did was the dress rehearsal night for Lady in the Van, it will be good to be back.

“We have been kept busy doing regular play readings over Zoom.

“We’ve had readers from all over the world, all taking part at the same time in play readings. At the end of the day, though, it’s thin gruel compared to the meat of live performances.”

The group normally performs at the South Holland Centre, but with the venue yet to reopen it decided to ‘test the water’ on a new location.

Mr Tyrrell explained: “They have never had live theatre there before - it will be an experiment.

“I think it’s important that the town has a performance theatre, it’s absolutely vital, but at the moment that isn’t open to us so it’s good to think outside the box and look at different venues.”

Auditions for Spirit Level take place tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7.30pm at The Patch, Cheal Road, Gosberton. Visit the St Nicolas Players on Facebook for more information.