THE young actors of The Festival Players have been in final rehearsals for their summer play.

After a critical acclaimed performance of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors last year, the youngsters decided they wanted to put on a murder mystery this time, and have chosen Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.

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The mystery novel, which at one point was known as Ten Little Soldiers, tells the story of 10 guests invited for the weekend to a remote house on an island in Devon, and when they arrive they are mysteriously spoken to by a recorded voice – accusing them all of murder.

And as they begin to suffer the fate of their alleged victims, each guest suspects one or more of the others.

The young people will be touring the play starting today at Lifford Hall, Broadway, the Crawford Memorial Hall in Bidford tomorrow, The Evesham Arts Centre next Wednesday, July 24 and Pershore Number 8 theatre on Friday, July 26.

The members of The Festival Players have been rehearsing the production since January, most of them fitting in their GCSE and A Level exams along the way.

The Festival Players’ director, Evesham resident Eric Jones, has also persuaded West End and film and television star George Asprey, who has been in various productions including The Lion King at The Lyceum Theatre in London and television shows Holby City and Trial and Retribution, to provide the recorded voice.

Eight of The Festival Players have recently taken London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts exams having been tutored by Mr Jones. Of the eight who entered in the spring, they all got merits or above. Meanwhile Mr Jones was recently recognised for some of the work he has done with young actors, being invited by the Queen to a Buckingham Palace garden party.

Tickets for the shows cost £10, and details for booking can be obtained from Mr Jones on 01386 48788 or from The Almonry in Evesham, or direct from Number 8 in Pershore on 01386 555488.

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