THE Harlequin Players have announced their new season's programme.

Gordon Hamlin directs the first play, Happy Jack by John Godber from September 4 to 6.

It a biographical play about the life of Godber's grandparents, Liz and Jack and is a happy yet sad, bruised but richly comic love story.

Jenny Hindmarch plays the long-suffering Liz, with Dave Gilliver as Jack.

Tickets priced £5 (£4 full-time students) are available from the DAN office within Northwich Library, telephone 01606 41597.

Super-natural

Come aboard in October with Outward Bound by Sutton Vane. Maureen Melville directs a supernatural story of a group of passengers making an ocean voyage on a ship that seems to have no crew and no one seems to know where they are going.

Find out why they need to worry about their final destination from October 22 to 25.

The Odd Couple by Neil Simon was a Broadway hit in 1965 and is still popular with audiences.

See the Harlequins version directed by Linda Sunners from December 10 to 13.

Next year will see Abigail's Party jointly directed by Jon Kerr and Lorraine Shuker from February 11 to 14.

Director Don Hirst, winner of Best Director for Steel Magnolias at this year's Rosebowl awards, brings a challenging drama to the Harlequin stage with The Long And The Short And The Tall by Willis Hall, a tough, realistic comedy set in the Malayan jungle from March 31 to April 3.

And Gordon Hamlin ends the season directing Ben Elton's Popcorn, about notorious killers determined to use a movie director's art as justification for murder.

Meanwhile you can save £5 by buying a season ticket for £25. Contact Gerry Harris 01606 76889, to see all six main plays for the price of five and take advantage of advanced priority booking.

Ring the box office on 01606 41597 or email dan@danarts.demon.co.uk for details.

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk