Act II theatre group’s advanced skills students to perform Alan Ayckbourn play The Revengers’ Comedies at South Holland Centre Spalding

Talented young performers will be testing their talents – on and off stage – with a show that plays out over two nights.

Act II theatre group’s advanced skills class is performing The Revengers' Comedies – written by Alan Ayckbourn – at the South Holland Centre in Spalding.

Unusually told in two parts over back-to-back nights, the plot follows a chance meeting of Karen Knightly and Henry Bell, who both go to Albert Bridge at midnight one night with thoughts of ending it all.

Director Charlotte Gernert said: “I chose The Revengers' Comedies as the next project because we have not done an Ayckbourn before.

“His plays are so beautifully written with warmth, richly drawn characters and a wicked sense of humour.

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“Karen Knightly I think is one of the most fun characters to ever grace a stage and the idea of doing a play across two performances was too tempting for me to resist.”

In the play, the characters go and get a coffee together and hatch a plan to seek revenge on those who have wronged them, with the added twist that they will carry out each others' revenge.

Mild-mannered Henry Bell has no idea who he is making a deal with though as in Karen he has met someone eccentric, bold, very wealthy and rather unhinged.

Mrs Gernert said: “Our advanced skills class comprises 14-18 year olds who want to further their performance skills and explore more varied theatrical projects.

“We push them to achieve high and consistently choose challenging and unusual projects for them.

“Through them we often explore our company's research interests of blurring the lines of where theatre starts and finishes, exploring the relationship between the actor and the audience and theatre in non theatrical locations.

“We also aim to introduce them to important playwrights in theatre.”

The performers will gain an all round knowledge of producing a play with this project.

Mrs Gernert added: “We wanted to develop the group's understanding of what goes into a show and so not only are they acting on stage but they have taken on all the backstage roles too.

“They have designed the set, sourced the props, planned and executed costumes, hair and make-up, and will be calling and crewing both parts of the play.

“It's a huge undertaking, especially when you consider they are doing it all on top of school and college work.

“But as always they have risen to the challenge and the show promises to hugely entertain the audience.”

Part one of The Revengers' Comedies is on at the South Holland Centre tomorrow (Tuesday February 13), with part two the following night. Both start at 7.30pm.

Tickets are valid for both parts to see the whole story and cost £16 for adults, £14 for concessions or £10 each for groups of 10+. They can be booked via the South Holland Centre website.

Will you be going to see the show? Post your comments below.