FROM the pen of the prolific playwright Alan Ayckbourn, Improbable Fiction being presented by the Adel Players this month, features six aspiring authors who meet on a winter’s evening to discuss their work. The chairman, Arnold, attempts to persuade the group to collaborate on a piece of writing.

The group quickly dismiss this idea as impractical but as Arnold is clearing up after the meeting there is a clap of thunder, everything goes dark, and the story that would have resulted from the collaboration takes place. Before Arnold’s astonished eyes appear Doblin the Goblin, paranormal investigators looking into an alien abduction, 1930s detectives with relationship problems, and the protagonists in a fiendish plot to disinherit a Victorian heiress. Poor Arnold is even subjected to a song from the would-be writer of a musical version of John Buchan’s Pilgrim’s Progress!

Ayckbourn does not disappoint with this affectionate satire on the activities of aspiring authors or with the fast-moving happenings in their zany collaborative piece of work.

Improbable Fiction will be performed at Adel Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Adel, LS16 8DE, from Wednesday-Saturday, January 25-28, 2017. All tickets are £8 and can be reserved by e-mailing boxoffice@adel-players.org.uk or phoning Mike and Anne Andrews at 0113-2755585.

Improbable Fiction is sure to prove a popular way of cheering up on a cold January evening, so book early to avoid disappointment!