M ost drama clubs complain that they have too much to do in order to meet their own production commitments to take on any outside work.

Backwell Drama Club is about to become the exception to that rule by acting as host to Alison Neil's one-woman show, which is about to set out on a lengthy tour.

The fascinating subject of the show is the 12th century nun Hildegard of Bingen, who was a musician, healer, artist, visionary, theologian, biographer, playwright and poet. Just for good measure she also preached in cathedrals, gave advice to an emperor and found time to criticise the Pope.

Hosting this show is not only a new venture for Backwell Drama Club but also unusual in the fact that it will be staging the event in The Playhouse Backwell rather than its usual venue of the village hall.

September 10, 11 and 12 are the dates for what should be a fascinating evening in the theatre. Call 0127 585 5487.

It will be back to the village hall for the club's autumn production Death by Fatal Murder. This is the third in Peter Gordon's trilogy of farcical thrillers which feature the intrepid Inspector Pratt, whose actions closely resemble those of Inspector Clouseau, and a pseudo Miss Marple, who goes under the name of Miss Maple.

This trio of plays have proved to be great favourites with Backwell audiences and with the director and leading players. Mervyn Brown donned the mantel of Inspector Pratt in the first two of the series and enjoyed the experience to such an extent that he has volunteered to assail the role once again in this production, which can be seen on November 12, 13 and 14.

Mervyn was obviously not the only one who enjoyed being involved with those two previous productions because Ellen Fry lines up for the part of Miss Maple for the third time and David Andrews, as he has for the previous two, happily takes charge as director.

One other interesting piece of casting comes with the vastly experienced Mike Plas as the incompetent Police Constable.

The script suggests that this be played as a gauche, inexperienced, youthful man. Mike and the director have decided that he does not quite fit that description and so have decide to play him as a more mature George Dixon-like character, which I am reliably told fits the bill very well indeed.

Call 0127 585 7866 for tickets.