Patrons will get the chance to unravel a classic “whodunnit”, originally written by Agatha Christie and adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon.

1950s Britain, especially in November, when it gets dark at four in the afternoon, was a different world.

Central heating was almost unheard of, and the rationing of coal, which most people used to heat their homes, and indeed in many cases, cook, still had another two years to run.

Social security was in its infancy and the lot of ordinary people was a far cry from today.

Audiences will be able to imagine what life was like more than 60 years ago through the eyes of some colourful characters.

The play begins when a strange notice appears in the morning paper of a perfectly ordinary small English village, Chipping Cleghorn: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October 29th, at Little Paddocks, at 6.30pm. Friends accept this, the only intimation.’

This comes as a great surprise to Letitia Blacklock, the owner of Little Paddocks, as she has no idea what the notice means; she didn't place it and none of her companions knows more than she. 

A Murder is Announced will preview on July 2, and tickets will be available from Bargain Box (4472 5984) from June 5.

Rehearsals are at the halfway stage.

Lines are being learned, characters are being developed, costumes are being tried on and where necessary either re-modelled or completely remade.

Very importantly for the cast and crew the set is almost complete, courtesy of set designer, Sam Lloyd and set building team Eric Haslam and Geoff Philpott.

Having the set in place and furniture on stage enables cast and crew to really move on with their preparation.

Remember the date, June 5.  There are only 10 performances, so come and reserve your seat early!