Y'all book early now! If you want to sit a spell and watch the Marco Players' production ofZThe Beverly HillbilliesZyou would be well advised to get your tickets as soon as possible. The society's production, they believe the premiere of theZBeverly HillbilliesZplay, will be staged at the Chorley Old Road Methodist Church Hall, Bolton, from October 9 to 12. Tickets are available on Bolton 840824/848935 or 01942 842381 and David Holt of Marco Players tells me that the initial audience response has been very encouraging.

He adds: "We are becoming concerned that we may not have enough capacity to cope with any later bookings. If we are going to need extra performances, we must get ticket sales in early to make the arrangements."

The society has been conscious throughout rehearsals that they will be expected to recreate the warm feel and gentle ambience of the television series.

David said: "The Marco Players have set out to maintain our own high standards for this unique production."

The story closely follows the TV series. It starts in Jed Clampett's small cabin in the Ozark mountains. When oil is discovered on their land, the family move to Beverly Hills, California, where banker Milburn Drysdale and his faithful secretary Miss Hathaway attempt to help them settle in.

There are gags and comic situations typical of the TV series and all the original characters are involved.

Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan starred in the series on television. It ran for nine years and one episode still holds the record as the highest rated half-hour programme.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.