WITH the flood season almost upon us, the premiere of River's Up, by Worcester playwright Alex Jones, is perfectly timed.

It's about global disaster from the banks of the River Severn. It features Tom and Sally, the owners of a disco boat on the river. There has been flooding but, this time, it looks so bad they set sail - first for the Malvern Hills, then France.

"It's a quirky play with a lot of humour in it," says Mr Jones.

"It's a love story about two people who have lived together for a long time and are now facing a catastrophic event."

Mr Jones has a message but wants to avoid beating the audience over the head with it.

"I used to work for Greenpeace and floods haven't been written about this way before.

"Why have all the floods been happening, not only in Worcester, but all over the world?

"Obviously global warming is very firmly with us. And we can clearly see it because it floods here ever year."

"However, you are always aware that there is an audience watching this and, first of all, you're writing to entertain them, not ram a message down their throats."

River's Up is the latest in a long line of acclaimed plays by Mr Jones.

NOISE, which was Time Out's critic's choice, has recently had its American premiere in Los Angeles.

But Worcester is where River's Up - directed by Jenny Stephens and designed by Keith Baker - makes its debut.

River's Up runs from Thursday, October 24, until Saturday, November 9, at 7.45pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Saturday, November 2, and Thursday, November 7.

Tickets, ranging from£7 to £14.95, are available from the box office on 01905 27322 and Friday, October 25 is pay-what-you-can night.