A classic Oscar Wilde comedy romps through the vagaries of the aristocracy in Swindon tonight under the direction of Clive Baker.

The Western Players recreate Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, until Saturday, November 17 at 7.30pm.

The story is based on Lord Arthur Savile, a well-intentioned but somewhat dim-witted member of the aristocracy who is to be married to the charming Sybil. His future mother-in-law disapproves of him, and arranges to have his palm read in order to discover if there are any skeletons in his cupboard. Warned by the fortune teller Mr Podgers that at some time he will commit a murder, Lord Arthur feels duty bound to get the deed over and done with before the wedding ceremony. He resolves to bump off one of his many elderly and eccentric relatives. He is aided in this task by his faithful butler Baines and a German anarchist Herr Winkelkopf.’’

The cast includes Ben Robinson as Lord Savile, John Fisher as Baines, Shirley Dodson as Lady Julia Merton and Elaine Wallace as Lady Windermere.

There are 50 members in the Western Players with an age range from teens to 80s and The drama group was set up by The Great Western Railway (Swindon) and called the Mechanics Institute Amateur Theatrical Society. The first production was Checkmate by A Halliday in 1904. The society celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2004.

Tickets for the Oscar Wilde classic are £13 are available on 07575 711522 or email boxoffice@westernplayers.co.uk