Break away from the sofa/bed for a good night out (From Watford Observer)

Break away from the sofa/bed for a good night out

12:29pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Theatre By Melanie Dakin

Want some light relief as well as a bit of thought-provoking drama to start the weekend?

Award-winning local theatre group, Breakaway Theatre, is performing two very different one-act plays as a double bill for their next production. Although very different in tone and subject matter the shows share a common thread of life, love and furniture.

SOFA, by local playwright Peter Hawes, revolves around a tatty settee on which three separate stories play out. There's Billy & Mandy, Margaret & Les, Carly & Aaron with a special guest animal in support.

Alban Arena manager Chris Baker, who studied drama at the University of Hertfordshire, is in the show: "It's very fast-paced and in three parts; past, modern day and a future look at these characters," says Chris. "It's a classic sitcom in which I play an alcoholic minicab driver - and there is definitely an elephant in the room in every scene, though Norman the Sex Elephant is my favourite."

The other production on the night is Jim Cartwright's BED - a more surreal piece that offers a peek into the dreams of a very diverse group of people who find themselves sharing an enormous bed under the malevolent view of a bitter and resentful bed head.

The plays are on at the Studio, Abbey Theatre, Westminster Lodge, St Albans on February 10-11 and February 16-18 at 7.45pm. Details: 01727 857861, www.abbeytheatre2.org.uk/