This locally based drama is a story of secrets, loyalty and lies told with heartbreaking honesty and wry humour and is set on a Worcestershire farm during the foot and mouth outbreak of spring 2001.

The Shepards are a tight-knit family who have been farming in Worcestershire for generations and are determined to keep it that way. Foot and mouth strikes and the family decide to cut themselves off from the outside world.

No-one is allowed on or off the farm but their determination is shaken when old John Shepard is troubled by the ghostly appearances of a small boy, ably played by eight-year-old Sam Cole. The appearances of the child prompt a chain of events that will change all their lives for ever.

This superb play has been specially written for the Worcester Swan Theatre by Lance Woodman.

The performance of all cast members was outstanding and the audience became totally involved with the family.

Most of the dialogue would have rung so true to the many members of the farming community in the audience.

The family drama combines raw emotion with moments of black comedy and it is well worth going to see as all of us have been affected in some way or other by the foot and mouth outbreak of Spring 2001.

The play runs until November 10.

Ruth Procter