The best plays are often based around times of stress or suffering and the Manor Players' latest offering is no different.

Visiting Hour is actually six separate playlets ranging in style from comedy to pathos and all based in a hospital ward during visiting time.

The thought-provoking scenes take a tongue-in-cheek look at the medical profession and even at its portrayal on TV.

In one, Showbusiness, Mum and Dad (pictured left) have a grave decision on their hands with their son on a life-support machine but this nonetheless amusing story satirises TV documentaries.

In Plaster we gradually find out, during his wife's visit, how a man came to be head-to-foot in plaster, and a patient suffers the visitors from hell in Magic, when her workmates are in attendance to 'cheer her up'.

The Manor Players are based at Sunbury's Riverside Arts Centre. For more information about the group, call Liz on 01932 782400.

Visiting Hour is at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, Sunbury from next Thursday (November 22) to Saturday November 24. Performances are at 8pm. Call 01784 740864 for tickets (£6).

By.Vienna Leigh