AN amateur theatre company was given stage fright when half way through rehearsals for the next production, the play's publishers withdrew permission for it to be shown.

Farnworth Little Theatre's production of The Field was due to be performed from March 29 to April 5.

But with lines half learned, sets half built and costumes being actively sought, the drama has had to be scrapped.

However, the show -- albeit different from the one planned -- will go on.

Instead of the scheduled John B Keane play, the company is frantically putting together a programme of two one act plays in its place.

This drama is being acted out with just four weeks to go before opening night.

Preparations for The Field had to be scrapped when the play's publishers withdrew permission for all amateur and professional productions of the play to go ahead. This was because of a planned tour of the play by a professional theatre company.

Mr Norman Pickles, a spokesman for the theatre said: "I have been a member here since 1951 and this has never happened before.

"We were all obviously speechless when we heard the news."

The news was broken to Mr Pickles by telephone as members of the cast were in rehearsal. He said: "I walked back into the room and said there is no point going on.

"It would seem that the professional company intends to tour with the play throughout the UK, so we really can not have an argument with this decision.

"But we obviously need to let people, particularly our season ticket holders, know that the show has had to be cancelled, and the programme altered accordingly."

Cast members have been frantically brought together to give repeat performances of the theatre's award winning one act play, Cage Birds. The second one act play to be performed during the run will be a new production of Sweet Caroline Sweet.

Mr Pickles said: "It is all hands to the pumps now. The scenery for The Field is having to be brought down and new ones created. Posters and tickets have to be changed, and of course lines learned. But we just did not want to let our season ticket holders down.

"Anyone who bought tickets for The Field will be able to use them for the new programme of plays, or will be entitled to a refund."