A last-minute withdrawal of the licence for their planned production could have landed Wheathampstead Dramatic Society in deep water.

But they were saved by director Julie Field coming to the rescue with the romantic thriller Double Double by Eric Elice and Roger Rees.

First performed at Watford Palace Theatre in May 1986, it tells how Phillipa James picks up down-and-out Duncan McFee from London’s Embankment and brings him to her husband’s luxury apartment.

It is purely a business arrangement based on Duncan’s uncanny resemblance to her husband Richard who died a few weeks prior to his 50th birthday when he should have inherited a £2 million trust fund.

With only a week to go to the birthday, all Duncan has to do for a half-share in the fund is impersonate Richard at a party and convince the family solicitor that Richard is alive and well and married to Phillipa.

Julie, her cast of two and all the backstage team have had to work very hard during a shorter than usual rehearsal time prior to performances at 8pm next Thursday to Saturday, February 19 to 21, at the Memorial Hall in Marford Road.

Tickets are available from Manor Pharmacy, Wheathampstead, by calling 01582 621357 or online at www. heathampsteaddramaticsociety.co.uk