WHENEVER there is a farce or a comedy at Farnworth Little Theatre, it's a fair bet that it will be directed by the society's treasurer David Stirzaker.

"I have directed a number of plays now, and they have all been comedies," said David, whose last prouction at FLT was the black farce Arsenic and Old Lace.

His choice for the March production is the hilarious Rumours by American comedy writer Neil Simon. FLT have presented a number of his plays, but this piece is the first he has set in England.

"It takes place in the home of a junior government minister and his wife," said David.

"They have invited four other couples to their house to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, but when the first couple arrive - a barrister and his wife - they find the husband in the bedroom with a gunshot wound, and there is no sign of the wife or the domestic servant."

As successive guests discover, there is no host or hostess and no sign of any food, confusion reigns, compounded by the unexpected arrival of the police.

The production features several familiar faces at Farnworth Little Theatre, along with new members Kate Settle and Gary Cubbage.

Rumours opens on Saturday, March 12, and runs until Saturday, March 19.

Tickets are available by calling 01204 303808 between 5.30pm and 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.