Recently, we reported on the diminishing audience figures for the Tim Firth comedy-play "Sign of the Times", starring Matthew Kelly. So much so that the Duchess Theatre in London pulled the plug on the production last week (its final performance is on 2nd April).

Where one door closes, however, another one opens just as quickly, and ironically it's the touch of an old hand that turns the proverbial handle for the theatre's replacement production.

Acclaimed playwright Mike Leigh will see his comedic-drama "Ecstasy" take to the stage at the Duchess from 12th April to 28th May, following up its recent successful showing at the Hampstead Theatre (it's playing there until 9th April, by the way). After the recent success of his revived award-winning character-comedy "Abigail's Party", you can be assured that this reproduction of this Leigh classic will pull them in (faster than "Sign of the Times" at any rate).

The play centres on 1979, Margaret Thatcher and six old friends who come together in a Kilburn bed-sit for a Friday drink. What could possibly go wrong? Or right? You'll have to see the play, which originally played at the Hampstead Theatre in 1979, aptly enough.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £29 for Tuesday to Saturday, £22 for Monday for the Hampstead run, and from £22-£45 for Duchess run.