A local theatre company is to put on a production of one of Harold Pinter’s most famous plays.

The Rushen Players will perform ’The Birthday Party’ at the Erin Arts Centre for three nights next week, between Thursday, May 16 and Saturday, May 18, from 7.30pm.

Directed by Adrienne Sanderson, the play is set in a rundown boarding house, with just one guest.

However, a little surprise birthday party turns into a nightmare upon the arrival of two sinister strangers who exude a sense of menace.

The play stars Steve Blower as Stanley, the lone guest, and Brian Matthews and Pauline Johnson are Petey and Meg, the owners of the guest house.

Juan Bridson and Jack Verity play Goldberg and McCann, the uninvited guests.

The Birthday party is Pinter’s first and most performed play, and was described as ’groundbreaking’ when it was first performed.

I have had it in my head for a long time to do this play, so when I got the chance I decided just to go for it,’ said Adrienne.

’It is a big challenge to put on a play like this, especially one of Pinter’s.

’It was recently very successful on the West End, with a production which starred Stephen Mangan and Zoe Wannamaker, with a small role for Toby Jones too.

’Usually, when a play has been on at the West End in a big production, the producers don’t like any other versions appearing, amateur or otherwise, around the country, so we are very lucky to be able to produce the play.

’This play broke all the rules when it first came out in the late 50s. It was like nothing that people had ever seen before.

’It contained no explanations or follows the usual linear plot lines. It starts off slowly, but really picks up the pace, and the tension in the dialogue between the characters, about who is speaking the truth is fascinating.

’The characters sometimes explode in violence, and some of them are very unpredictable. But it is also very, very funny.’

Tickets are £10, available from the Erin Arts Centre, on 832662