IT'S set to be a busy few weeks for those involved in Rossendale Players.

Tonight at 7.30pm in the New Millennium Theatre, casting will take place for Natural Causes, a black comedy by Rising Damp writer Eric Chappell to be directed by Lynda Birch.

The play will run from March 27 to April 3 and will tell the story of Vincent, a professional suicide merchant, and the strange situation in which he finds himself.

Meanwhile, the players present Dead of Night, a topical thriller, which will run from Saturday, January 31 to Saturday, February 7 (except Monday, February 2) in the New Millennium Theatre at 7.30pm.

Jack has been acquitted of manslaughter and delightedly regales his girlfriend Maggie and their neighbours Lynne and Dennis with a disparaging account of the trial.

According to the evidence, most of it Jack's, the victim Philip Mercer had broken in late at night and, on being confronted by Jack, produced a gun. In the ensuing struggle Jack got hold of the gun and used it to kill Mercer. A clear case of self-defence...or was it?

Mercer's family doesn't seem to think so and, as the action unfolds, Maggie, Lynne and Dennis begin to have their doubts too. We gradually learn more about what really happened that night, until the truth is finally revealed, with tragic results.

The cast includes Franco Paolucci as Jack, Samantha Payne as Maggie, Mark Storton as Dennis and Michelle Arthur as Lynne.

Tickets for Dead of Night, directed by Colin Braidford, cost £5 (concessions £4 - no concessions Saturday, February 7). Call 01706 228720