It is swords at 40 paces for members of a drama group as they take on the challenge of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Theatre Ink’ actors are getting to grips with fencing lessons before treading the boards in the popular Broadway musical starting on Thursday November 1.

Ann Morcumb from Theatre Ink said: “We are pulling out all the stops, hiring in full period costume for all 30 members of cast and have even enlisted the skills of a professional stage fighting company to teach our leading men how to sword fight!''

Theatre Ink presents the show at The Ridgeway School in Wroughton, near Swindon, from Thursday November 1 to Saturday November 3. at 7.30pm.

With powerful music by Frank Wildhorn, the show is based on the novel by Baroness Orczy, and is set in England and France during the reign of terror of the French Revolution in 1794 with daring rescues, sword fights, horrors of the guillotine, and plenty of mystery.

The group has built up a strong following over the last few years performing shows such as Jekyll & Hyde, The Fully Monty, Bad Girls the Musical, and last year's popular musical Chess.

Scarlet Pimpernel is directed by Barry Austin with musical direction by Richard Abrams. The plot is based around a mysterious English nobleman known only as The Scarlet Pimpernel, who snatches French aristocrats from the jaws of the guillotine.

Ann said: "The Scarlet Pimpernel is played by David Emms who received excellent reviews after his first outing with Theatre Ink, when he played The Russian in the sell-out production of Chess.''

He is supported by a strong cast including Dee Austin as Marguerite, and Simon Roberts as the dastardly Chauvelin.

Ticket prices are £10 for all performances from 01793 790431 or ordered online at www.theatreink.co.uk