THE history of Worcester, seen through the eyes of those living in the city, is the subject of a mammoth four-hour production, compiled by four county writers and to be staged next year.

The Century Plays - being shown at Worcester's Swan Theatre next April will follow a fictitious city family through the 20th Century, with its two world wars, man's landing on the moon and Margaret Thatcher's years as Prime Minister.

Lance Woodman (pictured above) one of the writers producing the play, which will be staged over two nights said the performance will not only look at the events of the 20th Century, but also the change in attitudes.

It's a story of a family in relation to what is happening in the world during the century, said the 42-year-old writer.

It will look at women's rights and other changes in society and how events around the world affected Worcester.

It covers the full spectrum of emotions, so has humour and sadness as it is reflecting the highs and lows of the family and the changes it goes through over the years.

The Warndon based writer - who has produced the first scene, which is set between 1914 and 1927 - is completing the last act, which is set during the Millennium celebrations.

The other two plays are written by Deborah Catesby, whose play concentrates on events in 1944 and Kate Shaw who shows the family following the first steps being taken on the moon in 1969.

Lance points out that the play is not based on his own family.

I have done a lot of research, said the writer, who is a lecturer at University College Worcester and has been writing for the city's theatre for five years.

It's not about my family but I have gained a lot of inspiration from my family who have lived in the city a long time and I have heard many stories from them. So I understand how events have affected the city.

It has been a major project but we have had a lot of time to work it out and produce the plays which will be quite varied as they have been written by different people.

It has been very rewarding and I hope audiences enjoy what we have produced.