The first drama to be staged at St Mary's Church, Redgrave, will be the rarely-performed Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot. Directed by former actor and teacher Duncan Livingstone, the verse drama features a cast drawn from local actors including Steve Humfress in the role of Becket.

The first drama to be staged at St Mary's Church, Redgrave, will be the rarely-performed Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot.

Directed by former actor and teacher Duncan Livingstone, the verse drama features a cast drawn from local actors including Steve Humfress in the role of Becket. The play has a theme centred around the murder in December 1170 of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, the action highlighting the effects of tension between powerful figures.

Set against the atmospheric background of spacious 14th century St Mary's, the production is presented by the Redgrave Church Heritage Trust, and is the first drama at the historic venue. The local group has raised funds and widespread support to provide essential amenities in the church such as toilets, kitchen, staging and heating, as well as improved seating and car-parking facilities, enabling the building to be used as a comfortable arts forum in addition to its role as an occasional place of worship.

St Mary's is now cared for by the CCT (Churches Conservation Trust) which has spent nearly half a million pounds over the last two years on refurbishing both the interior and exterior of the church whose rector's roll includes Thomas (Cardinal) Wolsey. Restoration has included work on the east window, important historic monuments, reredos and tower.

Performances of Murder in the Cathedral are at 8pm on November 6, 7 and 8. Tickets, priced £8, are available from Diss Tourist Information Centre (01379 650523), Bury St Edmunds Tourist Information Centre (01284 764667), Botesdale Post Office, Rickinghall Newsagents, or from the Redgrave Box Office 01379 898450. Wine is available during the interval, and early booking is advised. The doors open at 7 pm.