NOW in their 46th year, Mikron Theatre Company make a welcome stop in Guiseley on Wednesday, March 29 as their national tour travels through the region. Always a favourite with audiences at The Wetherby Whaler they delight with energetic, fresh and original tales of our national institutions and the social histories of everyday people. And this year it's the turn of YHA (Youth Hostelling Association) to get the Mikron treatment; written by Maeve Larkin and directed by Marianne McNamara, Best Foot Forward traces the history of Youth Hostelling from its inception in 1911 in the mind of a young, German teacher-soldier who found himself in No Man's Land at the Christmas Truce, through to its founding in Britain in the 1930s and right up-to-date with modern hostels still holding true to the founding ideals.

Something's afoot at Pearling Manor and it isn't just the walkers. The beautiful hostel, rich in YHA history, is lovely but falling apart. External forces are out to grab and turn it into a golf club. Cue Connie, first ever warden, with a heart as big as her rucksack. She takes us on a journey through the YHA's past in the hope of securing its future.

Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales), said: "The YHA network has changed beyond recognition in recent years, however many people still remember the days of wardens, chores and curfews. Thankfully, these are long gone but they are absolutely part of YHA's rich history and what better way to celebrate it than with comedy in this brilliant production."

Of course, the history of YHA has been full of ups-and-downs and there have been difficult paths and boggy lands to navigate along the way, and Maeve Larkin's fast-paced and funny script is full of memorable characters, shenanigans and peril, and even a hint of romance along the way; all brought to life by a talented team of four singing, instrument-playing, character-swapping actors.

Maeve who has written three previous shows for Mikron, said: "I'm chuffed to be back with Mikron, with a subject close to my heart. Writing for Mikron about the YHA felt like a marriage of minds. And as both have an appetite for wanderlust the passion is kept alive! It's been a pleasure to write."

Marianne McNamara is Mikron Theatre's Artistic Director and will be directing Best Foot Forward: "In our 46th year of touring, we're thrilled to welcome back Maeve after the huge success of 'Raising Agents', our Women's Institute play in 2015. Maeve has brought her trademark humour, pathos and faultless research to Best Foot Forward. We're so excited to be touring the show all year to both Youth Hostels and our regular non-theatre venues. YHA have been amazing to work with and we can't wait to welcome audiences across the nation to one of our 150 venues"

Marianne is justly proud of her role as Artistic Director of Mikron and adds: "I take the legacy of Mikron very seriously and our promise to make theatre everywhere for everyone. For 46 years Mikron has toured to places that other companies don't, and that means we are often deep in heart of the countryside, with no venue nearby, or finding ourselves performing in the most unlikely of places - a boatyard, an allotment site, even inside a tunnel. And this year we will be adding Youth Hostels and Lifeboat Stations to the places we perform in! Our shows are often performed outdoors and for a majority of them you don't even need to buy a ticket - we pass a hat around at the end. We love how informal our performances are, and make shows that we can all relate to, and enjoy, whoever we are and wherever we come from!"

The production is on Wednesday, March 29 at 7.30pm at the Wetherby Whaler, Otley, Road, Guiseley, LS20 8LZ. Tickets: £16 includes Fish & Chip supper served in the interval.

Booking and information: 01943 884228 www.wetherbywhaler.co.uk. Tickets are available from the Guiseley shop or by phone.