Go back to the bad old days of 1970s with the Theatre Royal, as they dare to go there with Trevor Griffiths’ play Comedians.

The ground-breaking play was first performed in 1975, when mainstream comedy largely consisted of racist and sexist material and ITV’s The Comedians was a hit show.

Featuring a strong cast of seasoned actors, this will be a very thought-provoking show, but also a very entertaining one too.

The play is set in a Manchester evening class run by ageing ex-music hall comic Eddie Waters.

Six would-be comedians, desperate to make a name for themselves on the professional circuit, are followed as they try to break through into the tough comedy scene.

They are due to perform at a working men’s club in front of an agent who can offer them a way in to fame and fortune. But how low will the lads go in their search for success?

Director Stewart Grant says: “Our production of this astonishing play will be as true to the original performance as we can get.

“By staging it in this way we will be asking how much attitudes have really changed in the last 44 years.”

He warns that the play contains frequent swearing and foul language, as well as language and attitudes which are now socially unacceptable but were current at the time.

The play runs at Theatre Royal, Workington from October 15 to 19.

Tickets are £11.50 (or £10.50 concessions) and can be booked online at thelittleboxoffice.com/workingtonplaygoers/event/view/92844 or a message can be left at the box office on 01900 603161.