The curtain went up on the Sidmouth Summer Play Festival at the Manor Pavilion Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, with the start of a scaled-down programme of six plays over 12 weeks.

The change is to allow for Covid restrictions, and possible changes in the guidelines, and means each play will run for two weeks.

Producers Paul Taylor-Mills and Claire Evans say they were 'heartbroken' not to have been able to present last year's season, but 'joyous that we are well and truly back'. They have emphasised their commitment to the Sidmouth Summer Play Season, and say they want this year 'to nurture it and ensure that we will be returning for many more years to come'.

They said: "This year we have chosen plays with a strong emphasis on comedy, as we all need some laughter.

"The Season curtain lifts on Ayckbourn's Living Together, completing our journey through the Norman Conquests started with Round and Round the Garden in 2014 and Table Manners in 2019.

"We have more comedy in the second half of the season with Neil Simon's California Suite and the classic comedy of the 1950s, Sailor, Beware! We are delighted to be presenting French farce Ding Dong by the same writer as Don't Dress For Dinner.

"No Season in Sidmouth would be complete without a thriller from the pen of Francis Durbridge, and this year we have Murder With Love. We are excited to be presenting our very first Agatha Christie, her parody of the detective thriller, Spider's Web.

"You will recognise many of the actors in the season from previous years and Season favourite, James Pellow, will be joining us for Murder with Love, Spider's Web and Sailor, Beware!"

The pair have thanked Stuart Burrows and Jonny Clines for looking after the Season for the past few years and their core team, 'without whom literally none of this would happen'.

They've also expressed their gratitude to the Manor Pavilion's Theatre Manager, Graham Whitlock, for his continued support and commitment.

Paul Taylor-Mills said: "But my final thanks is to you, our audience and patrons. We hope that will be booking to see the shows we are presenting this year and telling all your friends and family. Here's to a wonderful summer of theatre."

The Manor Pavilion Theatre has provided the following guidelines:

"There will be social distancing at each performance with a limited number of seats available. You will be required to wear a face covering in the theatre at all times, unless you are exempt.

"We will be operating a one-way system. The bar will be closed and there will be no tea and coffee facility.

"Our customers' safety is always our number one priority, therefore we will always follow all government guidelines in place at the time of your visit.

"Tickets can only be purchased online at the present time. If a performance is cancelled full refunds will be given.

"If you would like to book a wheelchair space, please email: [email protected]"

For full details of the programme, visit the Manor Pavilion Theatre website.