Centre Stage with Alan Cookman

IF YOU were hoping to attend Sylvia's Wedding in Nantwich next week, I wouldn't splash out too much on a hat.

Sylvia regrets that the guest list is suspended.

In other words, Nantwich Players have another sell-out on their hands. Not a single ticket for next week's production of Sylvia's Wedding, the romantic comedy by Jimmy Chinn, remains unsold.

The intimate Players' Theatre seats only 82, and although extra performances have mean that 500 additional seats have become available during the course of the year, many are still disappointed.

Happily, the company has been able to acquire the building next door, and there are plans to knock through the back stage wall in the next few months, providing vastly improved facilities for cast and crew.

The next step will be to enlarge the foyer and bar area, and finally the Players expect to be able to increase seating by 50 per cent.

This will involve a major fund-raising campaign, to be launched in September with an event in Nantwich town square, followed by an open day, tours of the theatre and a drive to attract more members, friends and supporters.

A reminder that Narnia The Musical, based on The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe by CS Lewis, will be presented at the Stafford Gatehouse next week by the county town's Music Youth Theatre.

The show features Oliver Bennett as Aslan and Stephanie Golding as the White Witch, and the four children are played by David Anderson, Abbie Venables, Tom Slade and Amelia Shackleton.

Performances are at 7.30pm nightly from July 8 to 11. Telephone 01785 254653.