Chorley Old Road Methodist Church. Runs until Saturday SOME guests are never welcome and the couple of unexpected visitors in this production fall very much into that category.

The play centres around the traumas of a famous Hollywood acting couple, Robert and Stella Drury, after they learn their young son has been kidnapped.

Before they've even had time to draw breath the kidnapper arrives at their home. But rather than demand a ransom their 'guest' Major Crozier simply wants to stay at their house for the next 48 hours.

The plot moves on apace with the sudden arrival of two policemen, after the discovery of a body at the Drurys' holiday cottage.

But, as is the case throughout this tense thriller, all may be not as it seems at face value and appearances can be deceptive.

Before they know it the bewildered couple are faced with yet more unwelcome guests and a growing pile of dead bodies littered around their home.

There were some good performances in a play which contained plenty of twists and turns and genuine surprises. Alan Macpherson as Robert Drury, Irene Smith as his wife and Mark Roberts in the role of Inspector Burford were all excellent.

Unusually the play was staged in the round, a format which helped create extra atmosphere for the audience. Proceedings were not broken by any scenery changes - the whole play being set in just one room - which allowed the tension built up.

With murders, kidnapping and blackmail this thriller, penned by Francis Burbridge, provides an entertaining night out which is well worth a viewing. DAVE ROBERTS

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