Actors from a Swindon theatre company are treading the boards in two festivals with two very different plays next month.

Whole Hog Productions have been rehearsing Jane Ayre based on Charlotte Bronte’s famous love story, to perform at the Manx Amateur Drama Federation Festival of full length plays on the Isle of Man on Monday April 9.

Unfortunately the company had to cancel their preview in Swindon scheduled for tonight but are looking forward to Easter and performing in the Gaiety Theatre.

Once they return to Swindon, the company will be back on stage trying to impress the adjudicators in the Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival which runs from Wednesday April 12 to Saturday April 14 at the Swindon Arts Centre in Old Town.

The actors are taking on The Final Act Of Henry Gladstone, a one act play based on Anton Chekov’s Swan Song.

Matthew Clift directs the play and he wrote the adaptation.

“The setting is a run-down theatre where an ageing actor, played by Steve Sprosson, has performed for the last time. He reminisces on his 45-year career with the young stage manager played by Becky Cann, whilst offering inspirational advice,’’ said Matthew.

The director is one of the stalwarts of the Swindon theatre scene and supports the town’s own festival each year.

He said: ‘’My play from last year Recidivists performed by the Old Town Theatre Company, went on to be published and none of that would have been possible without the Swindon One Act Play Festival. It is one of the life blood of the town's arts scene.’’ Tickets to the Harold Jolliffe festival are £10, concessions £7.50 from 01793 614837.