A NURSING home is the setting for a comedy farce presented by The Hoghton Players.

Taking the unusual route of performing a comedy in the round, the players are staging Side Effects by Eric Chappell at the village hall on Thursday to Saturday, 7.30pm, then at Salmesbury Hall on November 13, 14 and 17.

The comedy sees Frank Cook (played by Robin Brown) booked into a private nursing home by his wife June (Siobhan Edge) as he recovers from a rare complaint.

Fellow patient Rev Paul Latimer (Stuart Lockhart) is recovering from a heart transplant, but his unusual behaviour is worrying wife Sarah (Gael Finch). But young, attractive nurse Tracey may have the answer – she suspects his heart belonged to her recently deceased lover Melvin, a daredevil fairground ‘wall of death’ rider.

Frank relishes the reverends fall from grace, and June tries to reign him in.

Director Carol McCann said: “I am honoured to be directing this play in the round in both Hoghton Village Hall and Samlesbury Hall. I’m convinced this is the funniest play The Hoghton Players have presented over the past 17 years - even though I have directed others, and I am delighted with the performance of the whole cast in rehearsal.”

Tickets cost £7.50 or £6.50 for Hoghton performances with refreshments, or £12 with mulled wine and a mince pie at Salmesbury.

Call 01254 852258 to book.