REHEARSALS are well underway for Dorchester Drama's upcoming production Present Laughter.

But the club need some help in sourcing props before they take to the stage in November.

Actors are looking for a working soda syphon for the 1939-set Noël Coward production.

Director Anne Brown said: "Can you help us? If there’s a vintage syphon sat on your sideboard, we’d be very grateful if we could borrow it for the production, and you’d get a mention in the programme."

Club spokesman Fran Sansom said actors are doing a good job of getting into the production's 1930a era.

She said: "It has been a while since the group has put on this kind of play and the actors are enjoying the challenge of taking on the style, sophistication, repartee and costumes of the 1930s.

"It’s proving to be a real treat to play Coward’s amazing assortment of siren-like seductresses, over-inflated egos, uppity servants and the madly unconventional.

"It is probably his most autobiographical play and the character of Garry Essendine would seem to be a thinly-veiled portrait of Coward himself. "

Martin Stephen, who is playing the part in this production, is revelling in getting into the role.

He said: "The lines are a joy to learn and to deliver, they’re so witty and dry - with vicious barbs underlying the light humour on the surface."

The play focuses on the characters Liz Essendine and Gary. They might be separated, but Liz still seems to have an awful lot to say about how Gary conducts his affairs. In fact, she is rather concerned about Joanna, the wife of Garry’s friend and producer, Henry. What affairs might Joanna, played by Jo Salisbury, be having? Indeed, is Garry a player or is he being played?

*Present Laughter, Dorchester Drama, Corn Exchange, Dorchester, November 15, 16 and 17, 7.30pm with a matinee on November 17 at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £10 and £7 for under 18s. Available from the Tourist Information Office, Dorchester Library, or the Box Office on 01305 268692, and electronically from a link at dorchesterdrama.org.uk

Anyone who can supply a soda syphon, which will be gratefully received, should call the box office number.