Entertaining Angels is a dream come true for Sandra Gilbert. Swindon theatre company, the Phoenix Players, is presenting the razor-sharp comedy at the Arts Centre from Wednesday, January 28 to Saturday, January 31, from 7.30pm.

Sandra is directing the play that she first saw in 2009, on stage at Bath starring Penelope Keith. It caught her imagination as a director, but she had to wait for the performing rights to become available to amateur productions before the Phoenix Players could tackle the challenging play.

Sandra said: “Entertaining Angels is like Songs of Praise on Acid and full of wit, but it is also deceptively profound with the actors really getting under the skin of their characters.’’ The five cast members, Marlene Poole, Sally Lovejoy, Emma Hartup, Nicky Ashdown and Colin Wilkins, take on the plot surrounding Grace, the vicar’s wife, who kicks over the traces when she is widowed.

“Lies grow as fast as ivy on the garden walls in the rural vicarage garden with a stream, where the play is set,’’ said Sandra.

The stream proved challenging to set designer Alan Wrixon but he is working on some clever lighting effects.

During the 10-week rehearsal the cast enjoyed off stage laughs at the expense of a hired-in late pregnancy bump which Sandra said was waddling round rehearsals like the proverbial duck.

New girl on the block is Sharon Cooney taking on the role of prompter.

l Tickets to see Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett are £9 and £8 from 07517 698083 or visit www.phoenix-players.com Flicky Harrison