THE ZOO STORY & THE 13TH FLOOR

MASKERS bring their double bill of entries to the All England Theatre Festival to the Maskers Studio stage next week.

The Zoo Story by Edward Albee, tells of Peter, who is enjoying a pleasant afternoon in the park, when Jerry appears desperate for a meaningful conversation.

Who is he and why does he go to the Zoo?

The 13th Floor by Matt Avery & David Nicholls is a fast-paced, no-holds barred comedy, which finds six apparent strangers trapped in a lift (in a building evacuated due to a bomb scare). They think things can’t get much worse – until the silence is suddenly broken by an ominous ticking!

See them both from Thursday to Saturday at the venue in Shirley.

Tickets are available from maskers.org.uk

DEATH BY FATAL MURDER

INSPECTOR Pratt, a highly incompetent bungling detective has visited Bagshot House on two previous occasions to investigate murders. During both these visits, the body count mounted as he looked on.

Now he’s back again, as clueless as before, to investigate yet another killing.

This time he meets the new owner of the house, feisty Nancy Allwright, and her house guests, Welsh busybody Blodwyn Morgan (up from the Valleys) and an Italian gigolo, Enzo Garibaldi.

Actually he turns out to be not quite as Italian as he claims to be! Complicating life for Pratt is amateur sleuth Miss Maple, posh Ginny Farquhar with her cut glass accent, Squadron Leader Roger (Stiffy) Allwright and the ever patient Constable Thomkins. We’ve also got a couple of spirits conjured up from the other side by our Welsh lady, a medium with not that much psychic ability.

Death by Fatal Murder is brought to the stage by CATS at Copythorne Parish Hall tomorrow night and next Saturday.

Tickets are available from 023 8081 3415) or copythornecats.com

DEAD GUILTY

JOHN has a heart attack while at the wheel of his car with Julia, his lover.

She is badly injured in the crash and in need of a wheelchair. While in hospital, Julia is visited by Margaret, John’s wife, who apparently knows nothing of the affair.

Lee Players’ spring production Dead Guilty will have you on the edge of your seats.

It runs from Thursday to Saturday.

For tickets, call 01329 662128.

GOD OF CARNAGE

BEFORE the play begins, two children, Ferdinand Reille and Bruno Vallon, get involved in an argument, resulting in Ferdinand knocking out two of Bruno’s teeth with a stick.

That night, the parents of both children meet to discuss the matter.

As the evening goes on, the polite and civil facades disintegrate leading to irrational arguments and hilarity!

Southampton University Theatre Group present God of Carnage from Sunday to Wednesday at the Annex Theatre.

See annextheatre.co.uk

THE A TO Z OF MUSICALS

FAREHAM Musical Society are staging The A to Z of Musicals, a compilation show like no other.

The show list includes little known musicals Urban Cowboy & Victor Victoria alongside classics such as Oliver and The King & I.

“Due to the large number of children who wanted to take part in the show we have two teams of 16 as well as some very talented older children and an acrobatic troupe,” explains Graeme Clements, show director and society chairman.

The musical director, Valarie Tucker, has assembled a five-piece band to blast out the riotous Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and in contrast accompany the beautiful For Good from Wicked.

In all 33 songs from 26 different musicals will ensure there is something for everyone.

The A to Z of Musicals opens on Tuesday and runs until Saturday at Ferneham Hall in Fareham.

Call 01329 231942 or visit fernehamhall.co.uk.