A fast-paced comedy about Tudor politics and monarchy is Malvern Theatre Players' next production.

With a plot about political scandal and corruption in the court of a dying queen, The Clink should have audiences on the edge of their seats.

Director Lee Farley said: "Even though it's an intelligent, political play, it's funny and moves at a real pace."

The Clink is set the 17th Century and Queen Elizabeth (Dianne Lloyd) is on her deathbed, attended by her lady-in-waiting Beatrice (Fran Buckland) and her slave Zanda (Shirley Bradley). Stand-up comic Lucius Bodkin (Nick Hurt) is perfecting his new act, while the politician Warburton (Nigel Turner) plots with his cronies.

The play features a duel of insults, a chorus of beggars, live music and alchemist John Butler (Mike Fray) creating a potion to make Queen Elizabeth reveal her successor.

Penned by Stephen Jeffrey in 1990, it shows history from a modern viewpoint. Set design is by company director Chris Bassett and costume design by Cheryl White, a final year student at Worcester College of Technology.

The play runs from May 18-21, at Malvern Theatres. Tickets are £9 (concs £8).

The Clink marks the start of a season of Elizabethan drama for Malvern Theatre Players. Mr Farley and pupils from local schools will build a replica of the stage at The Globe Theatre. This will be erected at the Forum Theatre and used by the youngsters to perform Skakespearean scenes. The Players will use the same stage for their own production in November.