The Western Players are all set to steal the limelight with their latest production of Theft by award-winning playwright Eric Chappell.

The Swindon theatre company will be presenting the comedy at the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, from Wednesday, June 17 to Saturday, June 20 at 7.30pm.

Eric has written more than 200 TV scripts including popular comedies Home To Roost with John Thaw, Only When I Laugh with James Bolam, Duty Free with Keith Allen. His first play was called The Banana Box and inspired the long running TV sitcom Rising Damp.

Zena Smith is taking the helm of the Swindon adaptation using her producing skills on Simon Crutchly who takes the part of Trevor Farrington, Shirley Dodson who is Jenny Farrington, Matt King as John Miles, Susan Pearson as Barbara Miles and Chris Hall as Spriggs.

John Fisher from the Western Players said: "This is Zena's first step into producing and is taking to it really well.''

Julia Edwards is in charge of set design and is creating the drawing room of a thatched cottage in the country.

The plot revolves around the two couples returning to the home of John and Barbara after an anniversary celebration, only to find the house has been ransacked.

With all the wit and subtlety of a Priestley drama, Eric Chappell gives his plot those twisty turns that keep the audience engrossed.

In Theft the two couples soon realise the burglar is still in the house and at first he convinces them that he is a policeman. Once uncovered as the thief, he sets about undermining two seemingly happy marriages by his uncomfortable home truths.

Last year the hard working Western Players had success with four very different plays Journey's End, One Act library event, Nightmare and Boeing Boeing.

Their very first production was The Lady of Munster in 1854. At the time the society was called The Great Western Railway (Swindon) Mechanics Institute Amateur Theatrical Society later changed to the more punchy Western Players.

John said: "The Western Players is in the enviable position of having no prima donnas and no cliques. Everyone works to support productions, whether they are directing, on stage, backstage, front of house or publicity.''

Tickets to see Theft at the Swindon theatre are £10 and £9 concessions from 07575 711522 or www.wegottickets.com. - Flicky Harrison