IF you thought spending an evening with Gary Lineker meant sitting in front of the television on a Saturday night watching Match of the Day, think again.

For Byley Village Hall will be the venue for lots of laughs and high quality drama when the Byley Players perform their spring production of An Evening with Gary Lineker next week.

The story is set during the 1990 World Cup tournament as England are about to kick-off their infamous semi-final match against Germany.

Central characters Monica and Bill, played by Kimberley Yarwood and James Bickerton, are a couple on holiday in a Spanish villa trying to rekindle their marriage which has been slowly falling apart.

But problems start to arise with the arrival of some other guests, including Bill's old friend and colleague Ian, played by Mark Scott.

Little does Bill know that his wife has been playing away with one of his authors, Dan Hudson (Simon Jones), who also turns up unexpectedly.

The cast is completed by Sara Nicholls as Birgetta, a German-tour rep who Ian picked up in a bar on his arrival in Spain.

The action takes place around the game on television in the front room of the villa and also on the balcony.

But as the game progresses things start to hot up with some interesting and rather strange results.

Directed by Stella Clayton, the play contains some strong language, so it's advised that children are left at home for this very entertaining away game. It takes place at Byley Village Hall from Thursday 26 to Saturday, April 28.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm sharp and runs for 45 minutes each way.