Volcanic ash halts Harleston Players production

An amateur dramatics group cancelled two performances of its new production yesterday after a member of the cast was stranded in Spain.Harleston Players had been due to perform Suzan L Zeder's Do Not Go Gentle at Archbishop Sancroft High School tomorrow and Saturday .

An amateur dramatics group cancelled two performances of its new production yesterday after a member of the cast was stranded in Spain.

Harleston Players had been due to perform Suzan L Zeder's Do Not Go Gentle at Archbishop Sancroft High School tomorrow and Saturday .

But the group yesterday cancelled the performances after one of its child actors - Naomi Clarke - was stuck in Spain as a result of the volcanic ash chaos.

The 14-year-old, from Mendham, near Harleston, who plays one of the lead roles, had been due to return home on Thursday after a holiday in Morocco with a friend's parents.

The Archbishop Sancroft High School student is currently stranded in Alicante, Spain, where she hopes to get a flight home on Wednesday .

Helen Farrar, producer for the Harleston Players play, said unfortunately the group did not have an understudy for Naomi.

'I imagine she is absolutely distraught, but there is nothing she can do other than going through her lines. We hope our loyal supporters who have already bought tickets will be able to make one of the three performances next week,' she said.

The players still plan to take to the stage for the drama at the high school in Harleston from 7.30pm on April 29, 30, and May 1.

Tickets cost �8 and �6 for concessions and are available from Harleston Pet Stores or 01379 853873.