ANYONE wanting to see Wantage-based AmEgos Theatre’s latest production is, sadly, out of luck.

That’s because all the tickets for its three performances of Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy Improbable Fiction are sold out, not least because the shows are taking place in the elegant setting of Buscot Park Theatre, near Faringdon.

Improbable Fiction was first staged in 2005 and centres around the Pendon Writers’ Circle, whose six aspiring authors gather for their last meeting before Christmas to review their progress.

Each of them aspire to write novels in different genres, but Arnold, the group’s chairman, played by Dave Headey, attempts to persuade the group to collaborate on a piece of writing.

But at the end of the meeting a storm and a power cut bring about a story that goes way beyond their collective imagination.

Headey said of his leading role of Arnold: “It’s quite a challenge to play Arnold; he is on stage for most of the play and really does have a lot of improbable fiction to cope with.

“Arnold Hassock has led a sheltered life. An only child, he has never married and cares for his elderly mother in her huge rambling house.

“His social skills are limited, but he enjoys chairing the local writers’ circle despite having little creative ability himself.

“But one chilly December evening poor Arnold finds his world thrown into turmoil.

The show’s director, Lesley Phillips, said: “Several years ago I’d seen a couple of shows at Buscot Park and I absolutely fell in love with this perfectly formed gem of a theatre.

“We are so thrilled that Lord Faringdon gave us permission to perform there; it is possibly one of the smallest venues in the area, but so well designed to give both the audience and the performers a fabulous West End-style experience.”

The other characters in the comedy include Ilsa, played by Sam Winskill, Jess (Suzanne Parrott), Grace (Helen Harding) Vivvi (Helen Harrison) and Clem (Rob Thorpe).

Director Phillips is supported by stage manager Sarah Carter and wardrobe manager Lynda Hart. The set has been designed and built by Rob Thorpe and the light and sound are in the expert hands of Gordon Belcher and Richard De Castor.

Phillips said the group wanted to thank Lord and Lady Faringdon and James and Lucinda Henderson for allowing it to use the theatre for the show, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, November 26 to 28.

Although tickets for Improbable Fiction are sold out, theatre-goers will be pleased to hear that AmEgos is already planning its next production, which will be the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, to be staged in Wantage next April. Anyone interested in playing a role in the show is being invited to an introductory session at Letcombe Bassett village hall at 1pm on Sunday, November 30, which will be followed by auditions on Sunday, December 14. See more at www.AmEgostheatre.com