AN AGATHA Christie whodunnit with a side splitting storyline is Ambleside Players next hysterical happening.

The popular players' present Murdered to Death, an hilarious spoof in the best Agatha Christie tradition by Peter Gordon, the author of Out of Focus. The cast of characters include Bunting the butler, an English Colonel with the prerequisite stiff upper lip, a shady French art dealer and his moll, bumbling local inspectors and a well meaning local sleuth who seems to attract murder.

Running from Tuesday to Saturday, April 18-22 (8pm) at Kelsick Centre, on St Mary's Lane, director Steve Donson says that Murdered to Death is full of funny lines and Inspector Clouseau-type antics which makes for entertaining rehearsals. "Not that the cast is distracted," adds Steve. "A lot of hard work is being put in delivering a slick and polished performance, a hallmark of Ambleside players.

"This is probably one of the strongest casts assembled, and like all our plays it's in the round. This has made it more of a challenge for a play which was written for the normal stage, so it is probably a world premiere for it to be put on in the round. But we like a challenge and we like to get close to our audience.

"Although this is my directing debut, I am no stranger to Ambleside players, but being metaphorically on the other side of the 'camera' this time means there is no respite during rehearsals. It is quite intense, with little opportunity to relax. Is it enjoyable? Well ask me after the first night."

The cast of laugh out loud characters sees Esther Potts in the spotlight as Margaret Craddock; Andrew Saalmans plays the part of Bunting; Anna Clough plays Dorothy; David Marshall is Colonel Craddock; Phil Higgins is in the guise of Inspector Pratt; Jamie Alexander takes the role of Constable Thomkins' and last, but certainly not least, is Gail Toms as Joan Maple.

Tickets from Fred Holdsworth's bookshop, Ambleside or at www.amblesideplayers.co.uk.