IS MRS WILBERFORCE a helpless old lady or a cunning killer?

Decide for yourself as a gang of crooks find themselves at her mercy in classic black comedy The Ladykillers.

Mrs Wilberforce takes on the ruthless robbers as they plot their escape following a successful heist in London.

Bingley Little Theatre is next week presenting the hit stage adaptation of the famous Ealing Comedy film at Bingley Arts Centre.

Graham Linehan’s adaptation of William Rose’s screenplay presents criminal intent confounded by incompetence.

The gang rent rooms in the house of apparently demure pensioner Mrs Wilberforce and pose as musicians as cover for their planned heist in nearby Kings Cross.

When their landlady, with only her pet parrot General Gordon to help her, finds out what they up to, mayhem ensues.

Experienced director Jacquie Howard leads a team of actors from across the Keighley and Bingley areas, with Julie Bond as Mrs Wilberforce and Lee Russell as cack-handed master criminal Professor Marcus.

The play’s success relies as much on visual as verbal farce, and stage manager David Templeton, set designer Ian Smithson and lighting designer Richard Stageman into ensure comic effect is made to count.

The original film, one of the most cherished British comedies of all time, starred Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers.

The Ladykillers runs from Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm. Visit bingleytlittletheatre.co.uk/blt-tickets or call 01274 567983 to book tickets.