THE Worthy Players are turning to their darker side for their latest production this month. 

Following the success of their pantomime in December, the group is now presenting Alan Ayckbourn’s Neighbourhood Watch. Written in 2011, it’s his 75th play.

One of his darker comedies, the play centres around a brother and sister who set up the Bluebell Hill Neighbourhood Watch group following petty crime from a nearby estate. Starting with the best intentions, matters quickly get out of hand with dire consequences.

Hampshire Chronicle: Members of The Worthy Players rehearsingMembers of The Worthy Players rehearsing (Image: Mary Blaxland)

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Following the Players’ Golden Jubilee in 2023, several new members have been enrolled and regular audiences will see some fresh faces amongst the longer-standing ones in the cast. The team of eight have been rehearsing for months.

Neighbourhood Watch is co-directed by Peter Wooldridge and Clare Nicholas and is being performed at the Jubilee Hall in Kings Worthy at 7.30 pm on April 19-20, April 26-27.

Co-director Peter Wooldridge said: “When selecting a play for the Worthy Players to perform, an Alan Ayckbourn is always a good choice as there are plenty to choose from.

“The last few plays we have put on have been light-hearted, slapstick-style comedies but Neighbourhood Watch stood out as being darker and more serious in parts. There is still a lot of light-hearted comedy but the contrast of light and dark gives the actors an opportunity to develop their characters on a deeper level than more recently and on that front they certainly have delivered.

Hampshire Chronicle: The play is being performed at the end of AprilThe play is being performed at the end of April (Image: Mary Blaxland)

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“We know audiences will enjoy it.”

Tickets are already on sale with full details and online booking found at theworthyplayers.co.uk.

Containing occasional strong language, this performance is not recommended for younger children. 

This amateur production of Neighbourhood Watch is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.