MINCHINHAMPTON Dramatic Society and members of Minchinhampton's Holy Trinity Church congregation are putting on a play in the church this week - Christopher Fry's gently humorous The Boy with a Cart.

The Boy with a Cart was written by the author of the Lady's Not for Burning and tells, with much embroidery, the story of St Cuthman. Cuthman, a young shepherd, sets off with his mother to find a new home and work, having lost everything when his father dies suddenly.

In order to be able to take his poorly mother along with him, Cuthman builds a rough cart of wood, much to the incomprehension and amusement of the villagers.

When finally they find a place in which to settle, in gratitude Cuthman announces that he will build a church.

Again the local peasants are amused and disbelieving. The church is built, however, with the aid of a miracle.

"The Boy with a Cart is full of beautiful lines of prose and verse," said Hilary Kennet, who is helping with the production.

"Some is spoken in chorus, some individually, and Anne Brookes, our producer, felt that the action would be enhanced by the addition of music, much of which has been written specially for this production.

"Anne has introduced a novel setting to the play. The story is told to a crowd of present-day revellers at a summer country fair and the narrative then unfolds with the cast in medieval dress."

The Boy with a Cart shows at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton from Tuesday, November 15 to Saturday, November 19 at 7.45pm. Tickets, priced £7 for adults or £5 for children, are available from M&B Stores in the town.