Bingley Little Theatre's next production will be crowded -- and not just with the five children joining adults on stage.

East Lynne is also packed with love and hate, jealousy and longing, murder and mystery, adultery and bigamy.

These are the things that helped Mrs Henry Wood's 19th-century novel sell millions of copies and repeatedly hit the stage and screen.

The play tells of a lady seduced by a villain after being tricked into believing her husband is having an affair.

In despair she abandons her home and children, returning years later disguised as their governess

Tony Reavill, the director, says the play also deals with the trials of marriage, uncertainty, loss, the class system, law, politics and the conditions of women.

He adds: "It is melodramatic, with a hero, villain and suffering heroine.

"But it deserves to be played with a realism which allows the characters to speak for the people of their time."

Keighley man Allan Hollings plays the villain, and the cast also includes Keighley Playhouse regular Bruce Sturrock.

Members of the theatre's youth drama group in the play are Bradley Judge, Jessica Lewis, Faye McGrath, and Betty and Sammi Pritchard.

Hypocrisy, cruelty and uncertainty feature in East Lynne, presented from Monday to Saturday (7.30pm) at Bingley Arts Centre.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall or phone 01274 432000.

n Arcadia Players host an open play reading of Ben Elton's comedy Popcorn tomorrow at Glusburn Institute.

Admission to the 11am-1pm event is £1 including refreshments, and lifts are on offer from Keighley, Skipton and Bradford.

Alex Waddington, chairman of the amateur theatre group, says the play reading is ideal for potential new members.

He added: "They can come along and meet the group in a relaxed and friendly environment."

Alex can be contacted on 01274 590559.

n Story Writer will be the latest musical to be staged by the children of Keighley youth theatre HYT.

Charlotte Crossley, a spokesman for the group, said the show follows a boy whose stories begin to come true.

She said "It's full of the usual comedy, tragedy and original music including instrumentation with a difference."

Story Writer is at Victoria Hall on January 15-17, with a Saturday matinee.