MRS Beeton, My Sister is an all-new retelling of this entertaining and moving story, using the latest research.

Many years after Isabella Beeton's untimely death, Bessie Mayson muses on the extraordinary life of her famous big sister. They were the eldest of 21 children, brought up in the Grand Stand at Epsom Race Course. Quiet, obedient Isabella fell for a charming publisher called Sam Beeton, and joined

his rackety life in journalism, culminating in her world-famous "Beeton's Book of Household Management". Her family disapproved. But were they right? Thirty years on, Bessie is not so sure...

Alison Neil has been a professional actress for more than 30 years. She appeared in the West End in "Little Lies" starring John Mills, and "Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are dead", and made numerous other appearances up and down the country and on TV and radio.

Following the success of her first play Bella – the story of Mrs Beeton which toured from 1988-2002, she began her second career as writer/researcher of plays featuring great women brought to life, playing among others Katherine Parr, Charlotte Bronte, and the Just William Lady (about Richmal Crompton).

Her new play marks the 150th anniversary of Mrs Beeton’s death, the life-story now re-written to take account of recent research.

The play will be followed by a Q and A session with drinks and nibbles.

Mrs Beeton, My Sister is at Terrington Village Hall on Thursday, May 26, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 (under 18s £5) are available from ruralarts.org, email terringtonvillagehallinfo@gmail.com or phone 01653 648484.