A Cockermouth drama group's latest play is set in the middle of nowhere on a cold winter's night in a derelict house full of saws, a scythe and an axe.

While it might sound like a psychological horror movie, The Winterling by award-winning playwright Jez Butterworth is firmly grounded in reality.

A CADS spokesman said: "With tramps, runaways and London gangsters the setting itself has an ambiguity, anything could happen and the characters’ futures are inevitably not in their own hands. It is a place for unease, full of terror, despair, doubt and the expectation of the unexpected.

"Characters West (Ian McCaul), his old time pal Wally (Jim Samson), cocky new kid on the block Patsy (played by CADS newcomer Karl Sanderson), Draycott (played by director Tony Parker) and Lue (Becky Wilson) all have sinister undercurrents as they psychologically battle for the upper hand.

"It's oozing with tension and darkly funny with Butterworth’s quirky, halting dialogue."

The Winterling will run at 7.30pm on May 17 and 18 at the Kirkgate Centre. Tickets (£10 or u25s £5) from www.kirkgatearts.org.uk.