WITH a top notch line-up of actors and directors, and a programme featuring side-splitting comedy, edge-of-the-seat drama, and a spine-chilling thriller, this year's Sheringham Little Theatre summer repertory season looks set to be another box office hit.

WITH a top notch line-up of actors and directors, and a programme featuring side-splitting comedy, edge-of-the-seat drama, and a spine-chilling thriller, this year's Sheringham Little Theatre summer repertory season looks set to be another box office hit.

The 10-week, five-play season, which last year attracted record audiences, kicks off on July 7 with John Godber's hilarious drama, Bouncers.

A top team of Little Theatre guest directors this year includes stage and screen star Nicky Henson, who began his showbusiness career writing songs for Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

A founder member of the Young Vic company, Mr Henson has appeared in more than 30 films, from Mike Leigh's Vera Drake, to the 2005 Stephen Gaghan thriller Syriana.

His theatre credits range from Macbeth to Charley's Aunt, andon television he has popped up in soaps including Coronation Street and EastEnders, and drama series from Inspector Morse to A Touch of Frost.

As well as directing Alan Ayckbourn's hilarious Bedroom Farce during the summer season, Mr Henson will be inviting audiences to ask questions on his career as part on an evening “In Conversation” hosted by Little Theatre artistic director Debbie Thompson on July 27.

Also sharing an evening of chat and theatrical gossip on July 6 will be highly acclaimed actor and Little Theatre patron Desmond Barrit. A former Little Theatre guest director, Mr Barrit was recently seen in the popular ITV drama Midsomer Murders and starred in the West End hits The History Boys and Wicked.

Mrs Thompson said she hoped this year's programme would appeal to audiences of all ages.

“I think we have something for everyone, and it is a real coup to have people of Des and Nicky's calibre on board,” she added.