A BLACK comedy of family power-play opens at the Coach House Theatre, Malvern on Tuesday, July 16, for one week.

Written by Bill Macilwraith, The Anniversary is performed by The Malvern Theatre Players, and is produced and directed by Gill Young.

Since Dad died, Mum has carried on the family business and profits have doubled.

Every year, Mum has held an anniversary party, despite Dad’s absence, insisting that all the family must attend.

Her three grown-up sons are still dominated by their scalpel-tongued, deviously possessive mother, both in their daily business and personal lives. Mum usually manages to make them do whatever she wants, regardless of their own family needs.

This year they gather as usual, but the worms turn and fearing she is losing control over her sons, Mum resorts to the most despicable means and tricks to try to keep them close to her.

A glittering and darkly funny web is weaved as Tom brings his pregnant fiancée Shirley home for the annual wedding-anniversary ritual.

Of Tom's brothers and co-workers in the family building business, Terry is a weakling, trying to get up the nerve to announce his imminent emigration to Canada just to get away from Mum, and Henry is a considerate, gentle giant who just happens to have strange compulsions.

The Anniversary runs at the theatre in Grange Road until Saturday, July 20. Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are on sale at the Malvern Theatres box office,

boxoffice@malvern-theatres.co.uk or 01684 892277.