Local theatre lovers have a chance of a sneak preview of the next West End smash hit at Hoxne on Friday, July 25.A cast including well-known faces from stage and TV are having a rehearsed reading of The Rake's Return, a new adaptation of a farce by Henry Fielding, from 7-7.

Local theatre lovers have a chance of a sneak preview of the next West End smash hit at Hoxne on Friday, July 25.

A cast including well-known faces from stage and TV are having a rehearsed reading of The Rake's Return, a new adaptation of a farce by Henry Fielding, from 7-7.30pm in St. Edmund's Hall, Hoxne.

The cast presenting the rehearsed reading includes Vicki Michelle as Mrs Squeezum. Vicki is one of our favourite comic actors, best known for BBC TV's hit series 'Allo 'Allo! Giles Watling plays the part of the rakish Ramble. Giles' television career ranges from Upstairs Downstairs to his recent portrayal of Howard Carter in Channel 5's The Tutankhamen Mystery.

Henry Fielding's play inspired the musical Lock up your daughters, presented nearly 50 years ago by Bernard Miles to open London's Mermaid Theatre, with lyrics by the young Lionel Bart.

To produce the new script, Suffolk-based writer Graham Baker has returned to the Fielding original. The production company is delighted to have secured the involvement of another Suffolk artiste, Neil Innes, inspiration behind much of the Monty Python musical catalogue and founder member of the cult Bonzo Dog Doodah band.

The reading will be part staged and costumed, with several of the songs from Lock up your Daughters included as well. The bar will be open. Tickets for the evening cost £12.50 and can be paid for on the door. Book now by calling Matthew at mtpLtd on 07811 359869 or contact him via email at mtproductions@tesco.net.