FRIENDSHIP is the focus of Some of My Best Friends are Women, a modern comedy being staged by Kingsley Players at Kingsley Community Centre from October 19 to 22.

Written by Carole Tricker, the play focuses on the women members of a book reading group who get distracted from the novel under discussion by several bottles of wine and a couple of men.

The five women, played by Kath Kerry, Audrey Boyle, Lesley Silcock, Val Ball and Kelly White, meet as the last remnants of a failed book group.

One of the women, Lynn, is determined to keep the group going but faces an uphill battle, with unhelpful interventions from her four tipsy friends.

Amanda winds up fellow readers with her alcohol-fuelled observations.

Elderly Dorothy storms off, gets lost and is rescued by Steve, a young, book-reading fireman who brings her back and sets pulses racing in Jill and Helen.

Phil Murray plays the fireman and Neil Silcock holds the key to the future of the book group in the role of Christopher.

The evening stumbles from one crisis to another but is the bond sufficient to keep them all together?

Director Colin Smith said: “This is a very funny play and we have assembled a brilliant cast.

“As a member of a book group myself, I was fascinated by the relationships that both pre-existed and develop during the play.

“This is a must-see for anyone who is or has been a member of a book-reading group. Ultimately the play is about friendship.”

Tickets cost £7/£8. They may be booked in advance through the website www.kingsleyplayers.co.uk or by ringing the box office on 07925 516760.