SUE Townsend’s Groping for Words brings the popular writer’s brilliant sense of humour to a serious subject in a play which equally entertains and challenges.

Performed by The Company at Beetham’s Heron Theatre, from Thursday-Saturday, May 15-17 (7.30pm), the production puts some of the region’s best-known thespians centre stage - David Williams and Rosie Wates, plus new talent Joelle Campbell and Thomas Ledsham.

“During our rehearsals we were very sad to hear that Sue Townsend had died,” explained Eileen Nichols, who directs. “This will be our tribute to a fine writer and a very clever and lovely woman.”

The play is set in an adult literacy class, where the students fear of admitting ignorance is as much of a handicap as their inability to read. As usual with Ms Townsend, you will be laughing out loud one moment, and feeling moved the next.

The Company is an associate of the Heron, formed in 2011 by a group of local professional and amateur actors keen to perform quality theatre in a small venue.

So far they have performed plays such as Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, two one act plays by Noel Coward, and NF Simpson's Resounding Tinkle.

Groping for Words will be followed in June by Forgotten Voices, to commemorate the First World War and Martin McDonagh's Beauty Queen of Leenane is planned for November.

Box office 015395-64283.