DAMSELS in Distress, a trilogy of new Alan Ayckbourn comedies will be performed by his Scarborough based company, Stephen Joseph Theatre, in Malvern Thea-tres from August 19 to 24.

Directed and written by Ayckbourn, the plays come to Malvern prior to a West End opening on September 4 and are being billed as "furiously funny and breathtakingly plotted".

While not thematically linked, the plot in each of the three plays: Game Plan, Flat Spin and Role Play, evolves around a damsel in distress in varying chronicles of marriage, lust, life, boyfriends, gangsters, mothers and fathers.

In each play the company's permanent cast of three men and four women will perform on the same set at different times through the week.

Game Plan shows on Monday evening, Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning. Performances of Flat Spin are on Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. Role Play can be seen on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Tickets £12-£18 from 01684 892277 or www.malvern-theatres.co.uk or for those keen to take in the trilogy over one day, a discount price for a triple bill on Saturday is being offered at £36.