A TENSE court room thriller is on offer from Ashby Dramatic Society who are all set to perform Beyond Reasonable Doubt – the first stage play penned by novelist and former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer.

In the Central Criminal Court of the Old Bailey, Sir David Metcalfe, distinguished QC and Chairman of the Bar council, is conducting the most important defence of his career – his own.

Accused of the wilful murder of his terminally ill wife, Sir David finds himself locked in legal combat with his old rival, Anthony Blair-Booth QC, prosecuting counsel.

The evidence during the trial is presented to the audience, as if they were the jury.

The big question is : Are Sir David and Lady Metcalfe a loving devoted couple as claimed by Sir David, or is he really a lying drunken wife beater as claimed by their housekeeper?

Just as we are about to hear the jury's verdict, the play takes us back to a few days before Lady Metcalfe's death, to witness for ourselves what really happened on that fateful night.

The play will be staged at the Venture Theatre, Ashby, from February 23-25 and February 29-March 3 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced £8 or £7 depending on the night and are available on 01530 411767.