USUALLY it is a quaint country pub, but the Hunter's Lodge is to become the stage for a play being performed as part of the Worcester Festival.

The pub, on Oakhall Green, near Hallow, will be an unusual setting for the play Rites, performed by the Red Light Company, and this is the first time the venue has hosted an outdoor theatre production.

It comprises two one-act farces based on rural village life and it has been specially written by award winning scriptwriter Simon Andrew Stirling.

A spokesman for the play said: "It's a heady brew of morris dancing and bell ringing, marital aids and conjugal rights and will take the audience through a series of village scenes as a send up of rural life.

"Deliciously naughty, the script will be perfect fare for a summer's evening, where guests can enjoy a pint of real ale or a glass of Pimms and handmade picnics in the grounds of the pub.

"The event will then host a barbecue and entertainment from a local acoustic singer for members of the audience who wish to stay for a drink after the performance."

The play will be staged at the pub at 7.30pm tonight, tomorrow and on Thursday.

Ian Senior, event director, said: "We have worked closely with the Red Light Company to produce a play with a setting to match, rather than us finding a play that we could merely host.

"The play is looking brilliant and we're all very much looking forward to sitting out with our picnics and watching the opening night."

Picnics and food can be pre-booked by calling the Hunter's Lodge on 01905 640227 and tickets can be obtained in advance from the Worcester Festival box office.

And it's not the only theatre you can enjoy this evening. The Melting Pot Theatre company will be staging Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop starting at 7.30pm.

"In this intense play, Harold Pinter shows a man betrayed not only by a man, but also by time," said a spokeswoman for the theatre company.

"The play's subject is not only sex, but also the politics of betrayal and the damage it inflicts."

There is also an Evening with Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan being performed at the St Swithun's Institute at 7.30pm.

"It's a chance to experience some of the timeless works of Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan along with a few well-known masterpieces," said a festival spokeswoman.

"It will be an enjoyable evening, whatever your taste."

For more information about Worcester Festival call 01905 611427 or log on to www.worcesterfestival.co.uk

Sensational sounds of Count Basie

THIS Count Basie tribute band had toes tapping and fingers clicking throughout their polished performance of Basie-style jazz and blues.

The band treated the audience to everything from the mellow sounds of The Midnight Sun Never Sets, with Colin Skinner on the saxophone to The Kid From Red Bank, with Nick Dawson on piano.

One of the highlights of the night was the rendition of the beautiful Ella Fitzgerald/Basie hit Every Time We Say Goodbye, sung by Jackie Hicks.

There was also Flight Of The Foo Birds, featuring the wonderful sounds of the saxophone and trumpet and a Lil' Darlin,' requested by a member of the audience.

Paul Lacey's band, which was recently voted number one in the Big Band section of the British Jazz Awards, performed other Count Basie classics, including Splanky, with Nick Dawson playing the piano, Shiny Stockings and the fantastic Midnight Blue.

Jackie Hicks also sung Time after Time, accompanied by Paul Lacey on the trumpet.

The first half of the show ended with a sensational performance with Matt Holmes on the drums.

The band clearly enjoyed every minute of the evening and sat back and cheered while the solo performers took centre stage.

FESTIVAL DIARY

There's a wealth of entertainment on offer during the Worcester Festival, which runs until Monday, August 29. Here are some of today's and tomorrow's highlights.

TODAY:

10am: Raiders of the Lost Park! Family fun at Cripplegate Park.

10am: Selina Bella Strings at the live stage at CrownGate Shopping Centre.

11am: Football tournament at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club.

Noon: Ouja World Music Duo at CrownGate's live stage.

12.30pm: The Jiving Lindy Hoppers Workshop for 11 to 18 year olds at the Swan Theatre.

2pm: Spin Dwyers performing on the live stage at CrownGate.

4pm and again at 7.30pm: The Jiving Lindy Hoppers Workshop for adults at the Swan Theatre.

7.30pm: The comedy Rites will be staged in the gardens of the Hunter's Lodge pub in Sinton Green near Hallow.

7.30pm: The Melting Pot Theatre company presents Harold Pinter's play Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop.

7.30pm: An Evening with Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan at St Swithun's Institute.

TOMORROW:

10am: Raiders of the Lost Park! Family fun at Cripplegate Park.

10am: An eight-mile walk starting at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester going to the site of the Powick battlefield during the Battle of Worcester.

10am and again at noon: King's School Jazz Band performing on the live stage at CrownGate shopping centre.

10am: The Pearl Diver: a story-telling session and workshop for seven to 12 year olds at the Curradine Barns at Church Farm in Shrawley.

1pm: The New Georgia Jazz Band at CrownGate's live stage.

7.30pm: Backstage tour at the Swan Theatre.

7.30pm: The comedy Rites will be staged in the gardens of the Hunter's Lodge pub in Sinton Green near Hallow.

7.30pm: The Melting Pot Theatre company presents Harold Pinter's play Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop.

7.30pm: The comedy Men Of The World will be performed by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company at the Swan Studio.

7.30pm: Music for the Prussian King at the Friends Meeting House in Worcester.