WITCHCRAFT and revenge feature alongside deceit, lies and love in Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society's latest production.

The Crucible, by Arthur Miller, opens at the Market Theatre next month.

Rehearsals are already well under way and the large and enthusiastic cast are busy transforming themselves into the god-fearing folk of Salem, Massachusetts.

Phil Franklin directs the play, which was written in 1953, at the height of the Cold War, and draws parallels between the wave of anti-communism sweeping America at the time and the witch-hunts of the 17th Century.

The action takes place 300 years earlier in Salem, a town gripped by hysteria over witchcraft and devil worship.

Darren Skinner plays the flawed but ultimately heroic John Proctor and Lisa Greaves his wife Elizabeth, a woman accused of witchcraft by hysterical teenage girls and condemned to death.

One of these girls, Abigail Williams, played by Melissa Morris, has reasons of her own for accusing Elizabeth Proctor.

The villain of the piece, Abigail has had an adulterous affair with John Proctor and nothing is as straightforward as it first appears.

The death of Arthur Miller earlier this year makes the group's choice of play particularly appropriate.

"It's always hard as a group to decide what play to produce. But it does seem right now that we picked this one," said Paul Graham, of LADS.

"It's a great play and we've got a great cast. Everyone's enjoying the rehearsals."

The Crucible is at the Market Theatre, Market Street, Ledbury, from Wednesday to Saturday, May 18 to 21. Tickets are available from Ledbury Books and Maps, High Street, Ledbury, or Paul Graham on 01531 633760.