BRADFORD Players are taking on the highly challenging and very funny play Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime this week.

The play is based on the short story by Oscar Wilde and written by Constance Cox, and directed by Emma Vicarage, who has directed the last four pantomimes for the group.

Bradford-on-Tone, despite being small, has a thriving drama group and its pantos, which are always entered in the Somerset Fellowship of Drama Cinderella Awards, regularly achieve a very good level of success, going up against the big groups in the area.

Director Emma said: “I wouldn’t have taken on this play if I didn’t have the necessary cast and support team to make it a success.

“I was spoilt at auditions and had to turn people away, something that doesn’t happen often with small groups with a cast of ten, half of whom are men! Matt Ward, playing the title role, is exactly what I was after and is wonderful as Lord Arthur. He needed to be, he is on stage for nearly the whole show.

“The nine other actors, who complement him beautifully, have worked terrifically together and I am proud of what the whole cast and creative team have, very nearly at this stage, achieved. You won’t be disappointed. This is a classic which, I believe, we have done justice to.”

The play is being staged at the village hall in Bradford-on-Tone, in the centre of the village, opposite the pub. There are three performances – tomorrow (Thursday) to Saturday (June 9) at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.50 (£5 for 18s and under) and can be bought/reserved on 07581 880807 and [email protected]