A classic 1980s TV thriller, re-imagined for the stage, is Wimborne Drama Productions’ choice of play for their autumn production at the Tivoli Theatre.

Rehearsal for Murder has been adapted by D D Brooke from the TV play written by the legendary award-winning writing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, whose work includes Murder, She Wrote and Columbo.

Playwright Alex Dennison is left heartbroken when his fiancée and leading lady Monica Welles is found dead from an apparent suicide after the opening night of her stage debut. On the anniversary of that ill-fated night, Alex assembles the same cast and crew in the same theatre, for a reading of his new play. But as the reading begins, it becomes clear that Alex believes Monica was murdered and he intends to uncover her killer.

Director Tracey Nicholls said: “Everyone loves a good murder mystery – nothing too nasty, just a good excuse to take on the role of detective and try to work out ‘whodunnit’.

“Rehearsal For Murder, set in an empty theatre, combines my love for both theatre and the murder mystery genre. It has everything you could want from a good suspense thriller – engaging characters, a brilliant plot with more twists than a country lane, and moments of high tension balanced with nuggets of humour. Best of all, the beautiful Art Deco Tivoli Theatre is itself a star of the show.

“This October, let us entertain you with this thoroughly enjoyable cracker of a play.”

The cast are Rob Cording-Cook, Tracie Billington-Beardsley, Rosie Nye, Colin Pile, Michelle Barter, Lindsay McGowan, David Beddard-Banks, James Bourner, Andy Gill, Russ Guillaume, Suzanne Viney, Richard Scotson and Calum Hearne.

Rehearsal for Murder will be performed at the Tivoli Theatre from 19 to 21 October, with evening performances at 7.30pm (tickets £16) and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm (£14). To book, telephone the Tivoli Box Office on 01202 885566 or book online at tivoliwimborne.co.uk