AN Ilkley theatre audience was left in a flap by a mystery guest that entered from the wings - quite literally.

During Ilkley Players' performance of the whodunnit Busybody at Ilkley Playhouse on Monday, feathers flew in the audience as a starling divebombed them as they watched the play - and then merrily chirped all the way through the show.

The hapless bird had somehow managed to get into the building before dress rehearsals on Sunday and made its home in the lighting gantry and rafters of the popular venue.

The cheeky bird also managed to hit at least one member of the audience during the play.

Director Stephen Mason said: "The bird enjoyed our dress rehearsal so much it stuck around for our opening night on Monday.

"The actors and audience managed to carry on regardless. It was obviously very responsive to the play - when it got to the tense part where we reveal who the murderer is, it stopped chirping and went very quiet. I think the tension must have got to it."

The star-struck starling also left several 'calling cards' during its brief stay - most notably leaving its droppings on a calculator, which was used as a prop on stage.

A member of the audience from Guiseley, who asked not to be named, said: "It chirped basically all the way through the play - I was just glad that nothing landed on me."

Mr Mason added: "Having seen the solution to the mystery, it must have been satisfied and flew out of the doors on Tuesday."

Monday night's performance also saw a butterfly get into the Playhouse, and land on one of the actors during the show.

"It was a little like Noah's Ark up there," Mr Mason added.

l Tickets are selling well for the lighthearted mystery thriller 'Busybody', which opened its two-week run on Monday. Some tickets are still available from the Playhouse Box Office on (01943) 609539.