A MAD, sad, magic play about what is left when someone inspirational dies is being performed in Worcester.

The Story of a Great Lady was inspired by Jill Fraser, the late artist director of Berkshire playhouse The Watermill. Fraser, who had cancer, commissioned Ade Morris to write the play, which he describes as a feel-good tear-jerker.

Ade said: "Jill and I had been talking for a while about a creating a play that tackled the issue of what gets left behind when someone inspirational, someone powerful and loved leaves forever.

"I don't mean the material stuff - all the bits and pieces that remind us of their physical lives; but the emotional memory, the force of them and the echo of that force in our own lives.

"In short, what they did to help us be the people we are now."

The play is about three women from diverse backgrounds who form a creative writing group and decide to write a drama about the Celtic queen Boudica.

The Stage said "the sensitive side of the play is wrapped in a host of marvellously comic scenes".

Morris, who admitted it was unusual for a man to pen a play which explores the female pysche, said: "Jill wanted me to write another comedy because she loved to laugh. She would also have said there's a bit of Boudica in most British women. It's in their genes to be determined, feisty, loyal, loving. There are things in the play that people don't usually crack jokes about. I don't want to give too much away but all three women come together and go on a journey." The Story of a Great Lady is at the John Moore Theatre, King's School, Worcester, on Wednesday, October 3. For tickets call 01905 721794. LAUREN MURRAY