A DRAMA group is heading back to the rock 'n' roll era of 1950s' America for its latest production.

The Cestrian Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, based in Chester-le-Street, broke new ground last year when it staged Return to the Forbidden Planet - a futuristic space drama based on a Shakespeare play.

The show proved a huge success, playing to full houses, and the group has decided to stay on an adventurous tack instead of returning to more traditional fare.

Its latest show, Shake, Ripple and Roll, is set in an American ice cream parlour frequented by teenagers and features music from the era.

Arlene Pearson, the society's secretary, said: "I don't think Shake, Ripple and Roll has been done by an amateur dramatic society before, although it has been performed by schools.

"It is a very funny show, very corny, and it has lots of American expressions in it. It is a very lively show, and there is lots of singing and dancing.

"It is full of rock 'n' roll songs that are all very catchy.

"Return to the Forbidden Planet was a tremendous success, and we decided that we didn't want to go back to the more traditional type of show so we went for this one.''

The production will be staged at the Park View Theatre, Chester-le-Street, from Wednesday to Saturday, starting at 7.30pm each night.

Tickets cost £3.50 each (people ordering ten will pay only for nine ) are available by calling Mrs Pearson on 0191-584 5770.