A GROWING theatre company is developing its circuit of rural venues by bringing a piece of contemporary dynamite to local stages.

Lancaster-based Freerange Theatre Company, in its second year of touring, is performing a world-premier tour of a Hollywood screenwriter's award-winning script Absence.

With five theatre excellence awards to its name, Absence also secured the American Drama Critics Association Best Play of the Year' award when premiered in Detroit as The Hole in 1999.

In the aftermath of September 11, part of it was re-written, ensuring playwright Wendy Hammond's work resounds with contemporary power.

It is an enduring love story from the 1940s to the present day, heavily influenced by global events.

Freerange was formed to take theatre to rural communities in Lancashire and Cumbria, and is growing fast with support from partners such as Arts Council England, Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, Esme Fairbairn Foundation and CVR has extended its touring circuit from four venues last summer to 18 venues for this spring tour.

Absence is being performed at St Martin's College, Lancaster, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 21, at 7.30pm.

Other venues include: Staveley Roundhouse (May 13-17); Windermere Ladyholme (May 23); Grange Victoria Hall (May 30); Arkholme Village Hall (June 6); Grasmere Village Hall (June 7); Lancaste Gregson Centre (June 10); Sedbergh People's Institute (June 13); Caton Victoria Institute (June 14).

For further details of ticket prices and tour dates, contact Freerange Theatre Company on 01524-68677.

May 15, 2003 10:00