A NEW take on The Bard's life will tread the boards on November 1 at Fleetwood Marine Hall as the theatre company Quondam presents Shakespeare in Trouble.

A quirky take on Shakespeare and his plays, the production invents a moment in time when Queen Elizabeth discovers that the work of the great playwright is being used as a propaganda tool to overthrow her.

Shakespeare is forced to go into hiding, taking with him only a hamper of costumes belonging to his troupe of actors. He finds refuge in the woods where he is pursued, but never quite caught, by two uncover secret agents.

The evening will open with a group of young people from Fleetwood who will be working with the production group prior to the event to create a brief performance on the subject of "hiding".

The piece will be presented as an aperitif to the main play. Call Fleetwood Marine Hall on (01772) 771141 for tickets at £5 for adults and £4 concessions. The production is suitable for anyone over the age of 11.

ALSO visiting the Marine Hall in November is the Premier Theatre Company.

They will be staging a contemporary review of the latest West End and Broadway shows for one night only on November 11 including excerpts from Jekyll and Hyde, My Fair Lady, Whistle Down The Wind and Ragtime, as well as old favourites from Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and The Lion King.

This brand new show was launched at the Lowther Pavilion in July.

Premier Theatre Company musical director, Malcolm McLean, said: "As well as introducing more than half the show's content in the new material, the traditional accompaniment of a keyboard is being enhanced by a drummer and bass player.

"I am extremely excited about the overall effect this will produce in conjunction with the highly talented cast."

Premier, who brought Mack and Mabel to the Grand Theatre last summer, has been touring since November 1997 with its concert revue throughout the North of England for the benefit of charities.

Tickets start at £5 and are available from the Marine Hall box office.