PANTO season will soon be a distant memory when the Gordon Craig theatre begins its winter play series. The Stevenage theatre is hosting three shows from the Ian Dickens theatre company in the coming weeks. First up is Inside Job, described as Mousetrap

PANTO season will soon be a distant memory when the Gordon Craig theatre begins its winter play series.

The Stevenage theatre is hosting three shows from the Ian Dickens theatre company in the coming weeks.

First up is Inside Job, described as "Mousetrap meets Lock Stock", and starring ex-Emmerdale favourite Stephen McGann.

The play is set on the Costa del Sol, where a professional safe-cracker (McGann) enjoys a hedonistic life in the sun, until the stunning Suzy (Michelle Morris) sweeps into his world with an offer he can't refuse. But what starts out as a simple act of theft, rapidly spirals into an intrigue of diamonds, murder, bluff and double-bluff.

If horror is more your cup of tea, then the second play in the series, Nightfright, is a must see.

Frank and Jenny Gilman think they have found their dream home, a converted chapel in a quiet country village. Anyone who has ever seen a horror movie will know this is a recipe for disaster, and the dream soon turns into a nightmare as they are attacked by intruders who seem, for some reason, to be only interested in the contents of the deep freezer.

Why is the spade covered in blood? To whom to do the blood stained clothes in the chimney belong? And why are the locals lying to the Gilmans?

Frank and Jenny investigate and the true horror of their situation soon emerges in this taut and exciting horror thriller from the pen of Roger Moss.

Finally, I'm sure we've all experienced the scenario where our husband leaves us for a younger woman. Well, maybe not all of us, especially those who don't have a husband, but what would you do if your partner upgraded you for a younger model? How would you kick start your life if you'd never had to do a days work? How would you cope with the realisation that time is not on your side?

These are the issues that newly single Susan Shaw, 58, finds herself grappling with in the final play of the series, It's Never Too Late. Susan, played by Joanna van Gysegham, has run the home, brought up her daughter and had a very busy life involved with charities and village-hall committees, but many aspects of real life are totally alien to her.

Susan decides to take this action, and this very funny, and at times tender, play follows her attempts a new start in life in the belief that "it's never too late".

Will she take the advice of her Women's Institute buddies and get herself a toyboy? Or does she have more drastic plans in mind? You'll have to wait to find out.

Inside Job runs from February 2 - 6, Nightfright February 9-13, and It's Never too Late from February 16 - 20.

Performances start at 7.45pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays. Ticket prices range from �16 - �20, with discounts packages available if you book for more than one show.

For more information visit www.gordoncraigtheatre.co.uk, or call the box office on 01438 363 200.