Life imitates art in Thurrock Courts Players' September production at the Thameside Theatre, as the society present the story of an amateur drama group who's theatre is threatened with closure by the local council.

The popular show A Bunch of Amateurs charts the efforts of a Suffolk community theatre company desperately trying to keep their doors open by enlisting an aging Hollywood action hero to play the title role in their production of King Lear.

Anyone who has been involved with any kind of community group will recognise the ups and downs and internal politics those members have to deal with, throw in a celebrity tantrum or two and you may well recognise yourself or others in this hilarious play.

Written by Private Eye and Have I Got News For You regular Ian Hislop with Nick Newman, the show is a firm favourite for amateur and professional performers and was made into a film in 2008 starring Burt Reynolds as the washed up Hollywood heart-throb, with Imelda Staunton, Derek Jacobi and Peter Gunn taking on the roles of the amateur performers.

Director Trevor Povey.

The story is particularly poignant as the fate of the Thameside Complex is not yet sealed. Community groups have banded together throughout the year with the hopes of taking the reigns and restoring the Thameside above its former glory, however a mystery organisation has shown an interest in the building and a final decision is set to be made at the council meeting in September.

"We're in a position once again where this could potentially be our last show at the Thameside after performing in the borough for the last 50 years" said Victoria Grayling, Courts Company Secretary and playing the part of the director Dorothy Nettle.

"The storyline really is close to ours and the community's hearts and we need audience members more than ever to support the theatre, get those bums on seats and back the campaign to Save The Thameside."

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There will be three performances, all starting at 7.45pm on Thursday 22, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September.

Tickets are available from the Thameside Theatre Box Office 0345 300 5264 or online via this link.