A THRILLING mystery is just what the doctor ordered for the Phoenix Players’ spring production.

Prescription For Murder is an intriguing whodunnit written by Norman Robbins. Sally Lovejoy takes the director’s chair for the fifth time with the Swindon theatre company, guiding a cast of seven including Emma Hartup and Colin Wilkins as Dr Richard Forth and his wife Barbara.

Emma said: “Sally is invaluable to us and the cast members always enjoy being involved in her productions especially as she brings sweets to every rehearsal.’’ The story is based around the relationships of Dr Forth in the sleepy town of Bere Knighton, not unlike the Midsummer Murder villages.

Emma said: “There is never a dull moment for Dr. Richard Forth. He has a hectic work schedule, visits from his ex-girlfriend, and his wife, Barbara, is constantly and mysteriously ill. Then a stranger arrives looking for Richard’s previous fiancée – who Richard claims never existed – Barbara’s health worsens and she isn’t the only one. With bad luck spreading almost as quickly as bad news, it seems somebody is out to kill Barbara, and anyone else who gets in their way.’’

For a shot in the arm of tension, suspense and a teaspoon full of comedy, the murder mystery runs until Saturday at 7.30pm, at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road in Old Town.

The Players have 40 members, both actors and stage craft crew, who pull together three productions a year and new members are always welcomed.

Joining Emma and Colin in the show are Clare Brown as Dorothy Livingstone, Elly Beint and Mark Harris as Mary and Allan Haigh, Raman Aggarwal as Eric Dawson and Margaret Price as Julia Moore. Keeping the back stage team on their toes is Sandra Gilbert as stage manager.

The next production will be completely different, moving from a thriller to a comedy in The Reunion by Peter Gordon, which will again be at the Arts Centre in the autumn, this time with Daphne Breakspear as director.

The Players began in 1954 as the drama branch of The Poetry Circle Players and their first production was Christopher Fry’s The Firstborn. In 2014 they marked their 60th anniversary and the year before one of their veteran members, Daphne Breakspeare, was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to amateur theatre.

Tickets for the suspense drama are £10 and £9 for concessions from 07517 698083.