The play is set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War. The life of a young Bulgarian lady – Raina - is turned upside down when a Swiss soldier – Bluntschli - bursts through her window seeking refuge at the height of the conflict.

Despite her initial instincts Raina – played by Sarah Phillips - assists the soldier in his escape and so launches a sequence of comic events that ultimately disrupt her own engagement to the duplicitous Sergius Saranoff (Neil Paterson) and upset her entire family and household.

The play also features the lovable but confused father Major Petkoff (Grahame Miller), the overbearing mother, Catherine (Linda McLaren) the insolent maid Louka (Marley Laurie), the devoted servant Nicola (Graham Hewitson) and Scott Heggie as a Russian soldier. Ken Latham plays the role of Bluntschli.

A gentle comedy with elements of farce, the whole piece is also an insightful critique of contemporary attitudes to class, heroism in warfare and what ultimately makes a man a man.

Do risk taking – dangerous flirtations and foolish cavalry charges – make for a worthy eligible husband, or careful self preservation, moderation and shrewd business investment? The play's many themes are still relevant and recognisable today.

Making a play from the 19th century grip the audience calls for some strong character acting, careful pace and timing and director Drew Barnett has worked carefully with the cast to ensure glittering performances over the week.

An ingenious set has been designed to allow complicated scene changes to flow smoothly between acts, and the splendid costumes and props for armies of the 19th century have been faithfully re-created 'in-house' by David and Mary Allen for the play. The audience will be in for a dramatic and visual treat!

The play runs for four nights to Saturday, May 22.

Tickets are £6.50 for adults, £5 concessions and £20 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 concessions). Tickets for the performance on Wednesday, May 19 are £5.

Tickets can be obtained from the Box Office at the Toy Castle, 86 Castle Street, by telephoning (01307) 468622, by emailing your requirements to forfardramatic@live.co.uk or at the door.

Full details of the production can be found on the Society website – www.forfardramatic.com