The Children's Hour to perform at Bolton Little Theatre

Eleanor Maxwell will direct the cast of The Children's Hour in Lillian Hellman's drama about gossip, revenge, and reputational damage.

Ms Maxwell said: "I saw BLT were asking for new directors, particularly if they had plays they were interested in putting on, and I’d come across this one a few years ago.

"It’s an excellent drama with a pretty important message – both for the time it was written and for the present day."

The play was inspired by a story shared with Hellman by thriller writer Sam Dashiell-Hammett.

It centres around two Scottish female teachers whose careers were destroyed by allegations, culminating in a court case.

Hellman adapted the story into a play, which became an 'instant hit' on Broadway in 1934 and is still celebrated as a 'perfectly constructed drama.'

In the play, Catherine Cropper takes on the role of Mary Tilford, a pupil at a school run by two female teachers.

After being reprimanded, Mary seeks revenge by starting a rumour about the teachers' relationship.

She manipulates her grandmother Amelia, played by June Grice, and other pupils into spreading false allegations, ruining the school's reputation.

The roles of the teachers at the centre of the scandal, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie, are played by Abbie Jones and Rebecca Carney.

The 11-strong cast includes many familiar faces but also an array of newcomers (Image: aniapank)

Ms Jones said: "The fact that two reputations – and careers – can be ruined by mere gossip is something I think audiences can relate to in today’s age, particularly since the rise of social media."

Ms Carney said: "It’s especially unfair since the allegations are entirely untrue, whipped up by a malicious girl who realises the power she can wield."

The 11-strong cast has both familiar faces and newcomers, including Dave Oliver, the only male in the company, playing Dr Cardin.

Mr Oliver said: "My character is caught in the middle, as the fiancé of one of the teachers and the cousin of Mary, the girl who starts the rumours."

Other cast members include Jennifer Lee, Emma Morris, Jaime Morris, Ella Sanchez, Caitlin Embury, and Madeleine Haworth.

The story has also been adapted into a Hollywood film, starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.

Ms Maxwell said: "I only saw the film recently but I love Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine’s portrayal of the two teachers.

"But even they can’t beat the performances put in by my two cast members – they are excellent."

The Children’s Hour will run from October 26 to November 2 at Bolton Little Theatre.