AUDIENCES will see amateur theatre coming into its own during this year's festival.

A perfect example of the type of talent walking around Worcester can be found in One Fine Day, a thought-provoking and surprisingly funny play written by Dennis Lum-bord. The Swan Theatre Amateur Company (STAC) production, which opened at the John Moore Theatre, King's School last night, is directed by Worcester Festival director Chris Jaeger and sees Simon Atkins, the head of drama at King's School, reprise the role of Eddy.

The one-man show was staged at the Swan Theatre Studio earlier in the year and received rave reviews. It has been brought back by popular demand.

It follows Eddy, a doting father, whose life spirals out of control when his young daughter gives a sex education lecture in the playground and he is accused of child abuse.

Mr Atkins said: "The first scene is a bit like a stand up comedy routine, then things start to change and it does get quite powerful and emotional.

"A lot of the comedy is about his own childhood, how he learnt about sex and as a result he takes a very open policy with his children, which is what leads him into this nightmare situation."

Next week, STAC will perform John Godber's April in Paris, a heart- warming story of the English abroad and another local am-dram company Melting Pot Theatre are currently performing Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night in the high walled garden of Greyfriars on Friar Street. See tomorrow's Worcester News for the review.

One Fine Day is at the John Moore Theatre, King's School at 7.30pm tonight and 7.30pm tomorrow. April in Paris will run at the Swan Theatre Studio from Tuesday, August 22 to Saturday 26 and tickets cost £7.50 each.

Twelfth Night at Greyfriars starts at 8pm and runs until Saturday. Tickets, priced £12, are available from the festival box office on 01905 611427.