AMATEUR actors are being sought for a specially-commissioned performance piece.

Following the huge success of last year’s Alan Turing-themed festival, plans for this year’s September programme are well under way, and will be revealed next month.

The theme is Amazing Women, to celebrate the centenary of women first getting the right to vote in 1918.

The highlight will be a specially-commissioned performance piece written and directed by Steven Downs, who wrote and directed last year’s memorable ‘Regina v Turing and Murray’.

‘From Station to Station’ will tell the story of Elizabeth Gaskell and Alison Uttley coming face to face in the modern world as a result of a ‘time slip’, with appearances by other ‘Amazing Women’.

In order to tell the story Steven is looking for amateur actresses able to portray an age range of between 30 to 50 years of age, and an actor in the same age range.

Rehearsals will be held during July and August with four performances between September 7 and 13.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to be involved with community theatre,” said Steven.

“Anyone who is interested in taking part is welcome to come along to our open casting call, which is being held on Saturday, June 23 at Brook Street Chapel, between 11am and 3pm.”

Knutsford Promenades is again participating in Heritage Open Days and is also collaborating with Mid-Cheshire Community Rail Partnership’s ‘Amazing Women by Rail’ project.

“Thanks to our partnership with the Amazing Women by Rail project, one of our performances will be given on a train travelling between Chester and Manchester,” said Sarah Flannery, chairman of Knutsford Promenades.

“Another performance will be at Manchester Piccadilly, and two will take place in Knutsford, so we are aiming our cultural profile high this year.

“Steven is writing a marvellous play, and we really hope to see lots of people from Knutsford, Northwich, Winsford and Mid-Cheshire at our casting call on Saturday, June 23.”

For more information email Steven Downs at stevendowns2002@yahoo.co.uk.

One of the highlights of last year’s Heritage Open Days in Knutsford was a recreation of Alan Turing’s infamous trial at the town’s Sessions House.