Recreating a zombie apocalypse in a hall? MARION SAUVEBOIS find out how a theatre troupe manages

THE departed will rise to haunt and bite a sizeable chunk out of the living when Shaun of the Dead Live rolls into the Wyvern Theatre tonight.

Brought to the stage by Almost Legal Productions, an ambitious theatre troupe and motley crew of 'zombie moaners', the show like the iconic movie follows electronics salesman Shaun as he tries to win his girlfriend back and patch up his relationship with his mother in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.

While adept at taking their ambitious adaptations to relatively small town halls, and diminutive venues around the Cotswolds and South of England, Shaun of the Dead presented a whole new set of complications for the company. Not to mention the need to explore untapped acting potential.

From mastering the living dead’s moan and stunted demeanour to some serious gut-spilling management, rehearsals proved a learning curve for all involved.

In keeping with the troupe's deep-rooted tradition of audience participation - its past productions include The Rocky Horror Picture Show- 'survival bags' full of projectiles to be hurled at the stage on cue will be available for sell prior to the performance.

"People will really get the full zombie experience,” said Alan Marshall, who plays Shaun's stepfather Phillip. But we have made sure not to choose anything too hard. They won't take anybody's eye out. It's definitely throw-safe."

Shaun of the Dead Live is on at the Wyvern Theatre tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16. To book call 01793 524 481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.