Comedy theatre fans are invited to a play packed with drama and behind the scenes chaos when Dial M For Mayhem comes to the Theatre Royal Winchester from January 28 to February 1.

The play is set in 1991 and follows a group of travelling actors from south of the Scottish border as they tour the Highlands and Islands village hall circuit performing Frederick Knott’s classic 1950s thriller Dial M For Murder.

But as the company begins to squabble, Act 1’s gentle comic storytelling of the thriller makes way for Act 2’s backstage pandemonium in this play within a play.

A new comedy drama from Margaret May Hobbs and Michael Lunney, the author and director of courtroom drama The Verdict, Dial M For Mayhem stars Alasdair Baker, Estrid Barton, Isabella Inchbald, Joey Lockhart, Luke Rhodri and Theo Woolford.

It is brought to the stage by the Middle Ground Theatre Company, which has been producing dramas for 36 years, becoming one of the UK’s most prolific and acclaimed companies, with more than 50 productions to its name including adaptations of The Importance Of Being Earnest, An Inspector Calls, Present Laughter and Far From The Madding Crowd.

For tickets call 01962 840440 or visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk