Players chairman Peter Green is the director for David Hare's play which will be staged on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, with performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm each day at Felpham Memorial Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Felpham.

The piece originally premiered in London at the Royal National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in 1997, directed by Richard Eyre and starring Samantha Bond as Amy and Judi Dench as Amy's mother, Esme.

The play takes place in Berkshire near Pangbourne, at the home of Esme, a widow, and a well-known West End actress. The play starts in 1979 – the moment when the West End is ceasing to offer actors and actresses like Esme a regular way of life.

"A fascinating core to the play is the role and significance of traditional theatre as opposed to the new media entertainments like reality television and investigative chat shows that seem to be upstaging it.

"It's at a time when theatre was becoming old hat and people like Esme were finding it increasingly difficult to get the roles they used to have in the past.

"Amy is the daughter who brings along her boyfriend who is very against traditional theatre.

"He is very much after the film-type approach which is the complete opposite to Esme and is insulting to her in a way. An amazing argument takes place and Amy is in the middle of it."

The Regis Players were originally due to stage the production last December, but casting difficulties arose.

Peter is delighted at the way the piece is shaping up now, not least because his Esme has had a very encouraging letter from Felicity Kendal who recently starred in the role.

"Although I never saw the acclaimed production with Judi Dench in the starring role I can imagine this was very much a vehicle for her.

"It is a hugely challenging role, hardly off stage and always giving 'an actress performance' whether on the stage or to whoever is present in her Pangbourne sitting room!

"We are very fortunate to have playing the role Liz McNally who gained a special commendation for her role of M'Lyn in our March 2008 production of Steel Magnolias, which was given the NODA Accolade of Excellence for a Dramatic Production by NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) for that year.

"Stepping in to play the part of Amy, an equally demanding role, I am thrilled to have Deborah Amor – a very well-known local actress who wrote and directed In Confidence for the Arundel Players in April.

"Also stepping in to play her boyfriend and eventual husband Dominic is Richard Greenhorne – best known perhaps for his performances and direction of many operatic productions, but also a very fine actor who appeared in two of our past productions."

Tickets £8 from the Bognor Regis Tourist Information Centre, Belmont Street Bognor Regis tel 01243 823140 and also from Felpham Post Office. Further details on the website www.regisplayers.com