A DOUBLE bill of drama has been lined up to tempt theatre-goers to The Dukes theatre in Lancaster this spring ,writes Victoria Clark.

Two contrasting plays have been chosen to start the year off in style with the first production Skylight - written by successful West End and Broadway writer David Hare - which opened last week.

The second offering is an adaptation of Daniel Defoe's novel Moll Flanders, which starts at the Dukes in March before going on tour to the Library Theatre in Manchester and to the Bristol Old Vic.

"The two shows have only one point of contact - quality," said the Dukes artistic director, Ian Hastings.

"If Moll Flanders is an extravagant celebration feast, then Skylight is nouvelle cuisine."

Skylight is a passionate contemporary play centred around two main characters who are seen struggling to reach a balance between personal and political issues.

Mr Hastings said: "Skylight is so wonderfully written, a play as complex as a person.

It is a chamber piece of conversation, its focus is personal relationships and yet its scope and range is vast."

The colourful tale of Moll Flanders has been dramatised by Les Smith and promises to be a lively production.

"I commissioned this dramatisation for the Bristol Old Vic in 1995 and have been bursting to direct it again since the closing night," said Mr Hastings, who describes it as a "live, lusty show" and "often cheeky - never cheap".

A group of strolling actors playing musical instruments will take to the stage, and the play will feature three women portraying the famous scarlet woman.

As well as the two plays, a range of visiting shows have also been lined up as part of the spring season, designed to cater for all tastes.

Trouble Under Foot, for youngsters aged six and under, is a lively children's show taking place in the theatre studio from April 3 to 7.

The Dukes is playing host to the last night concert of the Lancaster Maritime Festival - the world's biggest gathering of sea-song and shanty-singers - on April 25.

For more information about any of these productions and to book tickets call the Dukes box office on 01524-66645.