THE award-nominated production team behind the recent Abigail’s Party at Monkton Heathfield’s Tacchi Morris Arts centre will return for its new show, Habeas Corpus, from September 23 to September 27.

Written by that national treasure, Yorkshire-born Alan Bennett – of History Boys and Talking Heads fame – the play tells the story of ageing Dr Arthur Wicksteed who is busy pursuing his nubile patient Felicity Rumpers, while Wicksteed's wife Muriel lusts after the charming head of the British Medical Association, Sir Percy Shorter.

@2K Theatre’s version of the classic Abigail’s party has been nominated for a raft of awards, including two nominations from the prestigious Rose Bowl Awards – presented annually since 1963 and described as the ‘Oscars of the South West’ for the amateur stage – and nine nominations for the Phoebe Rees Competition run by the Somerset Fellowship of Drama.

The nominations range from Best Dramatic Production, through Best Set and Best Props. Those nominated include Alison Jenkinson (Best Actress), Karen Kerslake (Best Supporting Actress) and Richard Hockey (Best Support Actor) and Best Director (Jane Burt). 

David Northey, chairman of @2K Theatre, said: “We are very excited, although all won't be revealed until mid to late October and goes to show if you put the effort and attention to detail then we are on the right track.”