A former Emmerdale star will return to the Stevenage stage later this year in a rugby-themed comedy.

https://twitter.com/gemmaoaten/status/905780128042639361

The Gordon Craig Theatre presents Up ‘n’ Under by John Godber from Wednesday, November 1 to Saturday, November 4.

And Gemma Oaten, who played Jan in the Lytton Way theatre’s production of Alan Ayckbourn comedy Bedroom Farce last October, will star in the show.

She will team up again with Ben Roddy, who played her bedridden partner Nick in Bedroom Farce.

Up ‘n’ Under will be directed by Ben Roddy.

https://twitter.com/keddiescott/status/905837680054894592

Best known for playing Rachel Breckle in ITV soap Emmerdale for four years, Gemma will play attractive fitness instructor Hazel in the award-winning comedy that follows the fortunes of a hopeless pub team from the Wheatsheaf Arms in a Rugby League Sevens competition.

Posting a picture of herself with the script on Twitter, Gemma tweeted: “Next role Alert! Hazel in Up n under by John Godber at @GCTStevenage whoop! @keddiescott can’t wait to be back @CatherineALomax @ben_roddy”

The comedy will also star Adam Shorey, James Donovan and Matt Collyer, who have all appeared in Rapunzel The Musical and The Producers at the Gordon Craig this year.

In the Olivier Award-winning Up ‘n’ Under, the Cobblers Arms have been the best and most feared team in an amateur rugby league in Kingston upon Hull for 10 years.

The Comet: Nick (Ben Roddy) and Jan (Gemma Oaten) in Bedroom Farce at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage last year [Picture: Dave Nott]Nick (Ben Roddy) and Jan (Gemma Oaten) in Bedroom Farce at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage last year [Picture: Dave Nott] (Image: Copyright: Dave Nott 2013)

The Wheatsheaf Arms, meanwhile, can only muster a side of four whose pride lies in their unbroken record of defeat.

The unfit quartet have to accept the help of a female coach, Hazel, in their attempts to beat the odds and win an unlikely bet.

Tickets for the show cost £22, £19.50 and £16.50 evenings, with concessions £2 off.

All seats for the Thursday and Saturday matinees cost £18.

The Comet: Gemma Oaten as Jan and Ben Roddy as Nick in Bedroom Farce at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage last year [Picture: Dave Nott]Gemma Oaten as Jan and Ben Roddy as Nick in Bedroom Farce at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage last year [Picture: Dave Nott] (Image: Copyright: Dave Nott 2013)

Over 60s pay £12 for the Thursday matinee only.

• To book tickets, call the GCT box office on 01438 363200 or visit www.gordon-craig.co.uk/play-up-n-under-i1796