THE senior play at Mount House School, 'The Book Ends', directed by head of English Jon Hammond, absorbed packed houses of parents, children and teachers at two evening performances.

The play was adapted from the 1966 film 'Fahrenheit 451', which was itself based on the novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury.

The action takes place at some time in the future, when books have been banned, and all school lessons are taken through interactive television, so there are only two teachers. Clarisse, one of the pupils, played by Imogen Dickinson, is persuaded to show classmate Daisy (Emma Jackman) an illegal book, and shows the book to young cadet fireman Montag (Oscar Mustard).

Montag's job has been changed by law from extinguishing fires to finding and burning books. Clarisse and Montag are caught at school reading an illegal book, and forced to run away to the forest people, who have already been outlawed for their love of books.