AN established theatre group will be performing a play in Latchingdon to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Latchingdon Arts and Drama Society (LADS) will be celebrating its 60th anniversary at the Tractor Shed in Latchingdon from Wednesday, June 27 to Saturday, June 30.

They will be performing Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

The society’s first production took place at Latchingdon village hall in January 1958.

A spokesperson for LADS said: “Drama was not exactly new to Latchingdon.

“In 1453, a hundred years before the birth of Shakespeare, a performance was presented at the celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi.

“It is through LADS that Latchingdon and much of the Dengie has been kept entertained since 1958.

“The first play, The Good Young Man was directed by Peter Jones, who has become synonymous with LADS ever since.

“In 1998, productions moved from the village hall to the Tractor Shed, a fantastic facility at London Hayes Farm, home to Peter Jones himself.

“Though now retired from directing, Peter continues to take an interest in the group and we are proud to have him as our life president.

“Peter’s vision as a director has been an inspiration to all of us who have followed him.

“As actors, Peter has given us the opportunity to explore a whole range of genre, from comedy, crime and musicals to the classics – from Agatha Christie and Alan Ayckbourne to Chekhov, Ben Jonson and Shakespeare himself.

“Given this level of diversity, it is perhaps fitting that we return to the Bard for our next production, in a season that has so far comprised of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and our most recent production of Dads’ Army.”

All performances start at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from Maldon Tourist Information Centre, visiting www.ticketsource.co.uk/ladsarts or by calling 01621 856503.