The Tavonians Theatre Company last week held auditions for their production as part of the Tavistock Festival in April. This week there are auditions for the next production, due to be performed at The Wharf in late May.

'Lettice and Lovage' is a comedy by Peter Shaffer, author of Equus and Amadeus. The play follows the flamboyant Lettice Douffet, a middle-aged lady of theatrical background.

She is guiding a group of tourists around an old, dreary, and fusty historic house, but seeing how bored the tourists are she decides to be more creative. Her stories become increasingly grandiose and theatrical, to the full extent of her eccentricity.

Inevitably she is dismissed. However, an unusual friendship blossoms with the woman who dismissed her but this results in a lawsuit, and the lawyer then engaged to defend her also becomes involved in the stories created by Lettice. The play has an unexpected ending.

A spokesperson for The Tavonians said: 'The role of Lettice was written specifically for Dame Maggie Smith and it presents an ideal opportunity for a real starring role.

'There are two other main roles for middle-aged actors – one woman and one man.

'There is also a great opportunity for those who would like to go on stage but not learn too much, as there are several tourists in the early scenes.'

There will be two opportunities to read through some of the play and to audition or register an interest in being involved behind-the-scenes.

The sessions are on Sunday, March 3 at 2.30pm and Monday, March 4 at 7.30pm, both upstairs in the Guide Hall in Bedford Car Park.

The current plan is to present this production in place of Alan Ayckbourn's 'Ten Times Table' which proved difficult to cast fully.

The Tavonians are keen to hear from anyone who would like to be involved in future productions, acting or non-acting.