The wonderful ladies and gentlemen of Wimborne Drama are nearly set for their new play Pack Of Lies to hit the boards at the Tivoli Theatre in February, for what is sure to be a very entertaining night out. Go see.

Fifty years ago, in March 1961, the nation was gripped by a court case at the Old Bailey where three men and two women were tried and convicted of passing official secrets to the Soviet Union. The court proceedings were closely followed here in Dorset, for two of the defendants, Henry Houghton and his girlfriend Ethel Gee, worked at the Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland.

These two had stolen classified material on Britain's first nuclear submarine and passed it to their go-between, Gordon Lonsdale, who, in turn, took the information to a quiet suburban house in Ruislip owned by Peter and Helen Kroger who transmitted it to Moscow.

It is the story of the Portland Spy Ring, as it became known, and in particular the Krogers that forms the basis for Hugh Whitemore’s award-winning play Pack of Lies that comes to the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on 10th – 12th February.

The arrival of a stranger by the name of Mr Stewart shatters the happy suburban life of the Jackson family as the truth about their much-loved neighbours (the Krogers) is revealed to them. Announcing he works for the government, Stewart coerces the Jacksons into allowing their house to be used as a surveillance post. In the nightmare months that follow, the Jacksons descend into an alien world of deception and treachery where they are forced to choose between loyalty to their friends and to their country.

This production by multi-talented Wimborne Drama is directed by Phyllis Spencer and stars Penny Pearson and Colin Pile as Barbara and Bob Jackson, Chrissie Neal and Graham Hawkins as Helen and Peter Kroger, with Richard Neal as Mr Stewart. The cast is completed by Elinor Fitchett, Steph Katz and Louise Tegerdine.

“The Cold War may seem a long time ago,” says Phyllis Spencer, “but with Russian spies once more in the news, the themes explored in Pack of Lies are as relevant today as they were in 1961.”

Pack of Lies will be presented at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne on 10th – 12th February. Nightly performances at 7.30pm. Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £10 (£8 matinee). Tel: 01202 885566.