Enjoy being transported back in time to the days when radio was the main entertainment media and other technology was a futuristic dream, or nightmare - depending on how you view social media.

Workington Playgoers invites the audience into the radio broadcast domain, as they perform three very different plays, written in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

We feel as though we are witnessing three different live radio broadcasts.

It is an illuminating insight into how radio productions were made in the past, but also has the spine-tingling intrigue that comes with not only one Agatha Christie play, but three completely separate plays.

Murder in the Studio required special permission from Agatha Christie's estate and theatrical publisher Samuel French Ltd. Samuel French sent an email wishing the amateurs good luck just before the first performance on Tuesday.

Jenni Rushton, one of the directors, said: "Samuel French sent an email saying 'break a leg - your play starts this week, hope it goes well'."

The production consists of three short plays, Butter in a Lordly Dish, Personal Call and Yellow Iris, and the cast combines experienced members, new recruits and some performers who have come out of retirement for the show.

Jenni said: "Most of the period costumes came from our existing wardrobe, the men have enjoyed wearing their suits and I've dragged Sylvia Heaney out of retirement for it. There's been a nice mixture of people involved in the production."

All the rehearsing was done separately for the three plays. Sarah Delorme, Andrew Young, Liz Chapman, Pam Hayes, James Last and Grace Walker take at least two roles, and Richard Harris stars in all three plays.

I was fascinated to watch how the live sound effects fitted into each broadcast, at one point a defenceless cabbage takes the brunt of a full on knife attack, expertly carried out by Joel Indiana.

Alyson Douglas deserves a mention for her beautiful singing in Yellow Iris. Sarah Delorme has perfected exactly the right voice for the part of Fay Brent and I liked the way that James Last uses his scarf to differentiate between waiter and Anthony Chappell.

Workington Playgoers has done the production justice and I feel sure that Agatha would approve.

Murder in the Studio is being performed at the Theatre Royal until October 20 from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £11.50 and £10.50 with concessions and are available at www.theatre-royal-workington.co.uk or on the door.

LYNNE WILD