CLASSIC comedy and one of William Shakespeare’s finest plays are in the spotlight at one of the region’s schools.

Queen Katherine School’s key stage five students stage The Government Inspector on Thursday and Friday, November 29/30 (7pm) in the school’s drama studio.

Nikola Gogol’s play is a comedy of mistaken identity and the havoc it causes to a small town.

It tells of how a flashy young stranger is mistaken for the Government Inspector. The town’s unscrupulous Governor and his council, fearing their corrupt goings-on with be revealed, do all they can to ensure that the inspector is 'looked after.' The stranger, who has an eye for a quick buck, takes full advantage of the bribes and backhanders that come his way with hilarious results.

Meanwhile, the Bard’s A Midsummer Night's Dream is the focus for the Kendal school’s key stage four performers with shows on Thursday and Friday, December 13/14 (7pm).

Regarded as one of Shakespeare's most loved and accessible plays, the stage is set when Hermia’s father objects to her marriage to Lysander (he wants her to marry Demietrius), and the pair decide to elope and arrange to meet in the woods. They tell their plan to Helena, Hermia's best friend who is desperately in love with Demetrius. Helena, thinking that she will get into Demetrius' good books lets him on their secret. Add a group of peasants rehearsing in the wood for the prince's wedding feast plus a quarrelling King and Queen of Fairies and you have all the ingredients for a quality night’s entertainment.

Elsewhere, QKS students are involved in the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime staged at Lakes Leisure Kendal on December 21/22 by TrEAD, which runs musical theatre and acting for stage classes at the school as part of Queen Katherine’s Performing Arts Academy.

Tickets for the student productions from school reception on 01539-743900.