IN the wake of the wildly enthusiastic reception Chester Little Theatre received for The Miser, auditions are coming up for another great comedy; Why Me? by Stanley Price.

The title gives it away. How often have our lives been in a totally inexplicable mess when we’ve found ourselves crying out “why me?!”

This particular cry from the heart comes from John Bailey, a likeable bloke, down on his luck. Of course, a lot of his problems – such as the fling with the woman next door – are of his own making, but he didn’t ask to be made redundant: that was due to the economic downturn and now the job rejection slips are tumbling through the letter box. And how can he compete with his wife’s successful business? It’s all too much!

There will be a part-reading and introduction by the director, Delyse Rostron, on Tuesday, January 29, at 8.00 pm, followed by auditions on Thursday, January 31, at 7.30 pm. Performance dates are May 4-11.

In the original production, John Bailey was played by that great comic actor, Richard Briers and won The Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Why Me? has excellent parts for men and women of a variety of ages.

To find out more, go to www.chesterlittletheatre.co.uk and click on Auditions. There is also a Contact Address if you want to know more. Newcomers always welcome.

Chester Little Theatre is in Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester CH1 3HR.