Eddie’s play makes a point

Darts and theatre fans can enjoy a visiting production of Mugs’ Arrows, which can be seen at Derby Theatre on Saturday, April 4.

The performance in the Studio gets under way at 8pm.

Written by Eddie Elks and directed by Ken McClymont, Mugs Arrows sees the critically-acclaimed theatre company Third Man Theatre back on tour again, this time with their new full-length show.

Developed and premiered at the Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter with Arts Council support as part of their Residency programme in 2013, Mugs Arrows transferred to The Old Red Lion Theatre, London, in 2014.

Mugs Arrows is set in a Derbyshire pub, somewhere in the hills.

Two locals return to see off an old friend, throw a few darts. Drown their sorrows. Try to make sense of it all. Just your average night down the boozer really. Or not...

Mugs’ Arrows is a surreal black comedy set in very ordinary surroundings.

It delves into a world that is on the change, exploring the depths of the human psyche - love, loss, friendship and darts, leading to hilarious, strange and ultimately disturbing results... Game on!

Derby-born Eddie Elks wrote Mugs’ Arrows in response to a world that is on the change.

With rural areas being forever altered through commercial development and extreme weather conditions and locals disenchanted by a lack of jobs and the ever-increasing allure of a life elsewhere.

Tickets to see Mugs’ Arrows are £9 (£6 concessions) and are available by calling the box office on 01332 593939.

n Derby Theatre Youth Theatre will be presenting a double bill - Dust and Dreamtime - at the venue from April 2-4.

You can see two plays in one evening, which explore the lives of young people and their struggle to find their own voice.

This will be Derby Theatre Youth Theatre’s third main house production.

Dust by Sarah Daniels and Dreamtime by Stacey Sampson, have been devisedin partnership with the young people from the Youth Theatre themselves.

The younger Youth Theatre group will present Dust.

A school trip to the Globe Theatre turns surreal when Flavia and her classmates are evacuated from the Underground and she finds herself blasted into Roman times.

From centurions to gladiators to the warrior queen Boudicca, everyone Flavia meets seems to echo the people from her own world.

Ultimately she finds it’s only in this ulterior universe that she can face her fears and find herself.

Dreamtime will be presented by the older Youth Theatre group.

A group of teenagers meet in a car park to find comfort and consolation - Danny is about to leave and go to university, Cass is a young carer and Jamie is still trying to find himself.

In this play, specially devised with Derby Theatre Youth Theatre, an Aboriginal tale of warriors and wonder is brought to life through the young people’s experiences of the here and now.

The age recommendation is 13-plus.

Caroline Barth, head of learning at Derby Theatre, said: “This year’s double bill will be a really exciting chance to see our talented Youth Theatre perform two very different pieces which explore identity and the challenges of growing up.

“They will once again show their talents as performers and as creators of relevant and meaningful theatre on our main stage.”

Tickets to see Dust and Dreamtime are £12, concessions £9.

For more information and to book tickets please call the box office on 01332 59 39 39 or visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk