THESPIANS at Playhouse 2 in Shaw are launching a new venture for more unusual and alternative productions.

The theatre, home to Crompton Stage Society, has welcomed audiences for more than 50 years.

Its yearly season of plays consists of five diverse productions and encapsulates various genres, including comedy, murder mysteries, the classics and much more.

Studio Productions at Playhouse 2, however, will open the doors to shows that are slightly different.

For example, the society wants to welcome new writing, plays featuring only one cast member and external theatre companies, all of which will fit in alongside the main season of plays, as well as the gigs and cinema that also have a strong presence at the theatre.

Barbara Micklethwaite, chairman of Crompton Stage Society, said: "Studio Productions at Playhouse 2 is a way of encouraging new audiences into the theatre as well as presenting something different to our existing ones.

"We want to be as inclusive as possible, and Studio Productions at Playhouse 2 will help us to do this. We are often asked to consider putting on shows that are different to the ones we tend to select for the main season of plays and this is a great way to incorporate such requests.

“We hope that people will get on board with this new venture and come along to support us.”

The first of the Studio Productions at Playhouse 2 is on April 27 and 28 when Clock Tower Theatre Company perform 'Service! The Live Sitcom'.

This show has an episodic format, with each of its four episodes usually being performed individually, leaving the audience wanting more, but in this instance all four episodes are being performed consecutively to form a two-hour show.

The show is set in the restaurant of a four star hotel, and in a battle to win the position of restaurant manager four members of service staff go head to head to defeat each other by hatching despicable schemes with hilarious results.

Performed at festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe, it is described as a modern Fawlty Towers, whereby the characters and situations are familiar but the comedy is heightened.

Steve Bennett, artistic director, said: "Finding a show like 'Service!' was sheer luck and we can't think of a better production to launch our new venture with.

“The production committee will be actively searching for shows that entertain our audiences in a way that's different from our usual offer and 'Service!' will hopefully pave the way to success and have those who come to watch it in stitches.”