HAROLD Pinter's tragi-comedy The Caretaker brings a powerful tale of loneliness and power games to the Roses Theatre stage in Tewkesbury.

The story is set around Davies, an elderly vagrant, and Aston, a gentle man in his 30s who gives him shelter.

Davies makes himself at home in the squalid room until Aston's menacing younger brother, Mick, arrives and a battle of wits begins as the pair try to manipulate the old man to their own ends. But Davies has another agenda and all is not as it seems.

The Caretaker was Pinter's first commercial success which brought him national recognition. It opened in London in 1960 and won the Evening Standard Best Play award and has been adapted for television and film as well as delighted theatre audiences ever since.

This latest production is by The London Classic Theatre Company, a touring group which, now in its fifth year, aims to produce 'challenging and accessible drama of the highest quality'.

Davies is played by Nicholas Gasson, who is playing his third Pinter role and his third role for the company. His long list of theatre credits include everything from Shakespeare to a worm in James and the Giant Peach. He also played Nick in EastEnders and features in current All Bran adverts with William Shatner.

Richard Stemp, who wrote and presented Art in the National Gallery and Tate Modern for Channel 4 plays Aston, and Mick is played by Benjamin Warren, who has plenty of West End, television, film and touring theatre credits under his belt after graduating from acting school in 2002.

The Caretaker comes to Tewkesbury on November 18 and, say promoters, it 'still has the power to amuse, to shock and to fascinate'.

l FROM the quiet drama of Pinter to the flamboyant drama of Pink Floyd, next week is a week of contrasts at The Roses.

It begins on Sunday with a visit from comedy songsters The Barron Knights, who are bringing their new show Bop 'Til We Drop, promising 'new songs, new shoes, new suits and old hits'. Enjoy the classics, like The Chapel Lead is Missing and the guitar duet The Battle of Agincourt and expect some surprises, anecdotes, the rock and roll medley and a special bit of gospel at the end.

The next night, Blazin' Fiddles brings together five of the hottest contemporary Scottish fiddlers, accompanied by guitar and piano.

On Friday next week, Think Floyd are making a bid to recreate the big-show magic of legendary Pink Floyd. Expect extracts from The Wall and Division Bell, marking its tenth anniversary, as well as a montage of other classic tracks from the likes of Wish You Were Here and Dark Side of the Moon.

Think Floyd are also marking their own tenth anniversary. For information and tickets call the box office on 01684 295074.