Turn left at Windmill Hill, Don Quixote takes a bow in Hitchin next week

A poet, his manservant, sundry thieves, pickpockets and murderers and the odd windmill – the latest Hitchin Thespians production has it all.

David Lodge and Gina Abbat in rehearsal for Man Of La Mancha - Credit: Archant

The company will be dreaming the impossible dream at Woodside Hall next week as they present Man Of La Mancha. the sumptuous musical version of the Don Quixote story.

Director Rosemary Bianchi has recruited Mile Niles and David Lodge to play the central roles of Cervantes and his sidekick Sancho Panza, with familiar faces including Melanie Plowman-Cobb, Kier Home, John Cleverley, Gina Abbat, Belinda Gee, Iain Fishpool, Bob Salzbach and Sheila Soothill all featuring in the cast and playing multiple characters.

Man of La Mancha, first performed on Broadway in the 1960s and quickly acclaimed as one of the most inspiring creations in musical theatre, was written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion.

The Hitchin production opens next Tuesday, October 14, and runs through until Saturday.

In the shop window: promoting the forthcoming Hitchin Thespians production - Credit: Archant

Evening performances are at 7.45pm and there’s a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are £14, available online at www.hitchinthespians.org.uk or from 01462 641575.