Next up from the Richmond Shakespeare Society is Owen McCafferty's poignant love story Days of Wine and Roses, from September 13 to 20.

Originally a 1958 teleplay written by a Texan which transferred to the big screen with Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, it was reset for the stage by Northern Irish writer Owen McCafferty and relocated to London in the Swinging Sixties.

Two people, Donal and Mona (pictured), meet for the first time at Belfast Airport in 1962, awaiting their delayed flight as they move to live in London. Donal is a bookie's clerk, Mona a civil servant with a sheltered family life, but after one drink she begins to change - and many more drinks follow.

Gradually their marriage turns to dust as Mona is drawn deeper and deeper into alcoholism - until finally Donal resolves to return to Belfast, the city of his birth, taking little Kieran with him.

Director and Swan Award winner Chris Hurles said: "Nikki Squire and Kevin Boland put their hearts and souls into the demanding roles of Donal and Mona. As strangers in a strange city, they fall in love with life and each other - but as alcohol takes its grip, their lives increasingly spiral out of control.

"It is a very powerful play with adult themes and graphic scenes, so it's not really suitable for children."
Performances run from Saturday September 13 at 7.45pm, with Sunday's show a 4pm matinée and no Wednesday show. Tickets £8 or £10.

As RSS is a Club Theatre, tickets may only be sold to members by post, phone or from Box Office, Mary Wallace Theatre, Embankment, Twickenham, TW1 3DU, 020 8744 0547 or www.rss-mwt.org.uk;.

Bookings must be secured by credit card, or by cash or cheque within three days. Membership 020 8940 1606, membership@rss-mwt.org.uk.
Note for press: Chris Hurles is available for interview on 07876 382105.
Picture shows Nikki Squire (Mona) with Kevin Boland (Donal).