The Stevenage Lytton Players have just marked their 60th anniversary and now have even more to celebrate after recently receiving planning permission for a new purpose-built 150-seat theatre at their site in Vardon Road. With more than 160 members, the g

The Stevenage Lytton Players have just marked their 60th anniversary and now have even more to celebrate after recently receiving planning permission for a new purpose-built 150-seat theatre at their site in Vardon Road.

With more than 160 members, the group has four sections: youth, musical, drama and music hall, as well as a strong technical crew and its own properties store and wardrobe.

Rehearsals for all shows take place at the current Lytton Theatre, which boasts a bar and a green room, as well as a small auditorium which can seat around 80.

Rehearsals are also about to get underway for the group's ever-popular music hall, which runs over two weekends in January.

The Players have a strong social calendar, with a murder mystery weekend Murder in the Wings performed by the Dial M Players on November 27 and 28 and a Christmas show taking place on December 19.

Recent critically acclaimed shows include Titanic: The Musical at the Gordon Craig in May and Willy Russell's play Blood Brothers, which was recognised by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) as the best drama production in the region in 2008.

To find out more visit www.lyttonplayers.co.uk or call 0870 777 7619.