A CHILLING tale of duplicity and murder, reminiscent of Hitchcock at his icy best, is how members of Phoenix Theatre Company describe their next production.

The dark tale of The Talented Mr Ripley opens tomorrow at Chorley Old Road United Reformed Church Hall, and runs until Saturday, March 31.

A spokesman for the company said: "We are proud to be premiering this ambitious drama. While the recent film, directed by Anthony Minghella has put the story in everyone's mind, the stage adaptation by Phyllis Nagy stays much closer to the black heart of Patricia Highsmith's original novel."

Pictured are the three main stars of the production, from left, Paul Costello, Natalie Kirkbright and Jason Crompton.

Tickets are selling quickly, but are still available on 840448 or 840824.