The company's first production of 2008 is 'Improbable Fiction' by Alan Ayckbourn.

The play will be presented in the main auditorium at The Mission Theatre for five evening performances: Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 January 2008 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available at £9 (£7 concessions) from the Next Stage Box Office on 01225 428600 (email: nextstagebath@aol.com).

We are offering a pre-show supper on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night performances. The Pre-Show supper costs £15. Please ring 01225 428600 to reserve a table.

Click here for a preview of the show.

Click here for the first night review.

The Play

Alan Ayckbourn's 69th play Improbable Fiction is an hilarious comedy featuring an amateur writing group, where everyone has at least one book in them, but is having problems getting it out.

Chairman Arnold Hassock considers that The Pendon Writers' Circle is in a bit of a rut. At the December meeting he throws down a challenge to the members: "If you feel you are a writer, if you deep down believe you are a writer, then for goodness sake get on with the writing". Unfortunately, be it technical writing, science fiction, Victorian romance, murder/mystery or children's stories, the motley group of would-be authors gathered in Arnold's house, whilst happy to talk about the creative process, are more familiar with writers' block than flowing prose.

With personalities clashing as loudly as the thunder outside, the meeting winds up, but as the storm suddenly plunges the house into darkness, so Arnold and the departing authors are plunged into their own fantastical, imaginary worlds. In a stunning second act, the audience is whirled through a hilarious mix of word play, literary genres, clever pastiche and subplots until one is indeed left thinking:

If this were played upon a stage now I would condemn it as an improbable fiction

(Twelfth Night Act 3 Scene 4)

A perfect post-Christmas treat, this play is designed to lift the spirits and brighten the gloomiest January day. Why not come along and celebrate the Mission Theatre's 3rd birthday and see a show that is "Ayckbourn at his best".

Cast rehearsal pictures

The Cast

Steve Leanaghan

Arnold Hassock

Hayley Fitton
Ilsa Wolby

Claire Rumball
Jess Bales

Caroline Groom
Grace Sims

The Director

Ann Garner

Director