THE HOLLOW Crown is an evening of entertainment on offer at The Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud from Wednesday, February 7 to Saturday, February 10.

The show is derived from music, poetry, speeches, letters and other writings produced over 800 years of monarchy. Starting from the death of William the Conqueror and finishing with the coronation of Queen Victoria, the Cotswold Players will perform this popular anthology of words and music, taking an amusing, satirical and poignant journey through the fall and foibles of the kings and queens of England.

John Barton compiled this piece as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's contribution to the 1960 Stratford upon Avon Poetry Festival. It has proved to be so popular that it has rarely been out of the RSC repertoire since.

The appeal of the show may lie in the way that it reveals the parallels between the troubles of the current monarchy and those of queens and kings from history. Whilst the House of Windsor may not have personally fought wars, reigned through madness, lived with the threat of torture, execution or murder, many of the themes remain relevant today, including mindless squabbles, sibling rivalry and constant media attention.

Joy Rosselli, director of this production, said: " I read the script in its original form a number of years ago, and thought it an interesting, but perhaps dull piece - then I saw it at the RSC in 2005 with Donald Sinden and suddenly I realised how much humour there was in it.

"I am thrilled to be directing a cast which includes some of our finest actors and singers and am delighted to welcome Graham Bill back to the Playhouse stage -Graham left us a few years ago to train professionally at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and since this time has followed a busy schedule of UK theatre tours, television and film performances and vocal coaching."