THEATRE buffs can turn back the clock to Victorian times this week when a play is staged depicting Dudley's importance as one of Britain's most important geographical locations.

Dudley's fossil fame will be brought back to life with a play entitled Murchison and the Miners which takes place at Dudley Archives in Tipton Road throughout the week.

The half-hour comedy highlights Dudley's importance in early geological research and was inspired by the Wren's Nest quarries which became internationally famous in the 1840s.

It was during this period that pioneering geologist Sir Roderick Murchison came to buy fossils from the local miners and give public lectures in the limestone caves.

Dudley became known as a mecca for scientific research and had four shops selling fossils that were found by miners and quarry men during their work.

The play has been written by Black Country writer Jefny Ashcroft, a specialist playwright who researches local history.

It will be accompanied by an exhibition at the archives showing historic documents and examples of real Wren's Nest fossils.

The site is now a National Nature Reserve and also a geological site of Special Scientific Interest and remains packed with fossils right to this day.

It's also at the heart of a Black Country wide bid for UNESCO Geo Park Status.

Dudley Archives is situated next door to the Black Country Living Museum and will be hosting the 30-minute play, which people can watch for free, on Thursday November 10 at 6.30pm and on Saturday November 12 at 1pm.