AVID supporters of the Taunton Thespians are invited to watch the acting troupe compete in the All England Theatre divisional quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Thespians’ one-act play, The Final Act of Henry Gladstone, made it through the County Drama Festival to this weekend’s competition at Frome’s Merlin Theatre.

The Thespians’ two other one-act entries, Drinks and Conversation by Maat Ward, and Breakdown Point by Antony Bray, were also mentioned honourably in dispatches by adjudicator Ian Sarginson.

The Final Act of Henry Gladstone, a powerful and poignant two-hander in which a young stage manager encounters an ageing actor, won Best Technical Achievement, and Lucy Monaghan, who plays the stage manager, was Best Actor under 30.

Tickets cost £8 to watch the afternoon or evening session of the quarter-finals on 01373-465949 and the Thespians’ performance starts at 2.30pm.