THEATREGOERS will be laughing in their seats when Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society presents its latest comedy next month.

Pardon Me, Prime Minister will run from Wednesday, September 6 until Saturday, September 9 at the town's Rose Theatre.

The play is by Edward Taylor and John Graham and society member, Charlie Combes, will be making his directorial debut.

It follows the story of a prime minister and his Scottish chancellor preparing a severely puritanical budget, which aims to tax out of existence amusements such as bingo, gambling and nightclubs.

Their policies are jeopardised by the arrival of Shirley, an attractive young woman, who threatens to reveal the events of a merry post-conference night 20 years ago, involving both men and Dora Springer, a hotel receptionist.

Sybil, the prime minister's wife, Jane Rotherbrook, an attractive Fleet Street reporter and a red dress add to the mayhem as the prime minister, with the help of Campbell, his parliamentary private secretary, attempts to extract himself from the situation and save his career by persuading the chancellor to change the budget.

The role of the prime minister, George Venables, is played by Nigel Preece, John Jones is the Scottish chancellor, Hector Cramond and Ian Jones is Rodney Campbell.

Chris Jones plays Dora Springer and Denise Churchett is Sybil, the prime minister's wife, Lucy Webb makes her debut as Shirley Springer and Kathryn Knight and Salli Hunt also appear.

Society business manager, Mrs Churchett, said: "We hope it will be as popular as our play was last year. Although it was written a few years ago it is still topical today, as we have got a Scottish chancellor.

"There will be a mixture of old faces and new faces. We are giving some of the younger members of the society the chance to show people what they can do."

The society is celebrating its 90th anniversary and its previous play was Key for Two, a comedy by John Chapman and Dave Freeman, which was staged at the Rose Theatre last September.

In May, performers presented KODS Kapers 2 and, in March, it was the popular musical, My Fair Lady.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 01562 743745 and for further information about the society, log on to www.kods.org.uk