Centre Stage with Alan Cookman

"THIS is Benjamin. He's a little worried about his future."

The words are as familiar to film buffs as the image which they accompanied – that of Dustin Hoffman contemplating Anne Bancroft's shapely leg.

The words and image appeared on the iconic poster for The Graduate, the 1967 Mike Nichols movie whose stage version is being presented at the Stoke-on-Trent Rep this week.

It's one of several memorable scenes from The Graduate which have been recreated to form the backdrop to the production.

They are the work of Burslem-based artist Rob Pointon who has crafted a striking homage to the film and its stars. While some directors might have sought to distance the production from the original work, Charles Bartholomew has done the opposite.

Recognising that it would be futile to expect audiences to divorce the play from the movie, Charles has deliberately recognised and embraced the production's screen origins.

So as well as the poster image, Rob Pointon has also reproduced Hoffman's Benjamin in swimwear and sunglasses, idly floating on an airbed in the family pool, and Bancroft's Mrs Robinson in leopard-skin coat seductively smoking a cigarette.

Nor has the artist ignored the contribution of Simon and Garfunkel, whose soundtrack album knocked The Beatles' White Album off the top spot.

The Graduate, which features Oliver Davies as Benjamin, Elaine Sawyer as Mrs Robinson, and Ella Sawyer as Elaine Robinson, continues at The Rep tonight at 7.30pm and tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Telephone 01782 209784 or 206000.