amateur stages have a busy week ahead and starting things off is a play with a local connection, writes Lynda Smart.

Kegworth Players open tonight with their production of Groping for Words, a poignant play about adult literacy, by acclaimed Leicester author of the Adrian Mole series, Sue Townsend. The play, which has plenty of comic moments, runs until Saturday, at Kegworth village hall. Call 01509 672 328 for tickets.

Also running from tonight until Saturday, at Little Acorns Production Company, is David Tristram's Unoriginal Sin, a comedy about a couple who come up with a novel idea for their divorce settlement. Performances are at St Mary's Community Hall in Hinckley. Call 01455 631 235 for tickets.

Knighton Park Amateur Operatic Society will be staging Copacabana, a musical based Barry Manilow's hit song of that name. The show runs from Monday until November 21, at the Little Theatre, Leicester. Call 01509 816 592 for ticket enquiries.

Oliver! is arguably one of the most popular of British musicals, and the ESNA Players are bringing their production of it to Loughborough Town Hall from Tuesday until November 21. For tickets, call 01509 828 456 or the box office.

To mark the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, the College Players will be presenting When the Lights Go On Again, which follows a family through the war years, with songs of the period and historic film footage. Performances take place at Stamford Arts Centre, from Wednesday until November 21. Call the box office (01780 763 203) for details.

News now of an audition opportunity. Despite its Gallic-sounding title, April in Paris is actually a John Godber comedy set in Yorkshire, to be performed by Market Harborough Drama Society in March. They are looking for a man and woman, aged 35-60 and auditions take place at 7.30pm Monday in the Harborough Theatre lounge.