ONE OF the jewels in the crown of British theatre' comes to Lyme Regis next week.

Newbury-based Watermill Theatre is coming to the town with its highly-acclaimed show Mickey Salberg's Crystal Ballroom Dance Band, a sparkling slice of rock 'n' roll fun and poignancy.

It's a tough life on the farm, and the late '50s are no exception.

With bailiffs expected at any moment, the feisty no-nonsense Sam and her friend Mickey are trying to save her father's farm. But as the land is proving unproductive, Sam and her friends decide to form a ballroom dance band, with just two members.

Enter the ever-confident guitar wielding Tommy, who fervently believes that rock and roll is the way forward - but Micky is unconvinced.

And Sam? Well, she just hates Tommy and their conflicting musical styles and relationships will bring surprising revelations and new challenges to them all. The national press coverage of this wonderful play by Ade Morris has attracted rave reviews across the board.Critics have described it as an encore-rich feelgood show' that other playwrights would do well to emulate'.

Marine Theatre artistic director Margie Barbour said: "This is the first time that The Watermill has taken an actor-musician show out on the road.

"Audiences can expect plenty of fabulous live music in Mickey Salberg's Crystal Ballroom Dance Band as the actors in the production will play musical instruments while in character."

She added: "This is the type of show that has won numerous awards on both sides of the Atlantic for The Watermill, and it will appeal to everyone regardless of gender or age."

Mickey Salberg's Crystal Ballroom Dance Band comes to The Marine Theatre on Friday at 8pm and tickets are £10 plus concessions from the box office 01297 442138.