THEY’VE long had a loyal following for their fun productions of Alan Ayckbourn’s work.

Yes, Dick and Lottie are back at the Lawrence Batley Theatre with another Ayckbourn classic.

The company is named after two characters created by Ayckbourn who are referred to in a trio of his plays, but who never appear on stage.

It was founded more than five years ago by Honley High teacher John Cotgrave and nurse Richard McArtney, and is thought to be the only company in the world to devote itself entirely to the works of Scarborough-based playwright, Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

Dick And Lottie produce his play, Improbable Fiction at the LBT on February 6-9 in the theatre’s Cellar space. Evening performances are at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm.

In the play, six aspiring authors meet on a winter’s evening to discuss the difficulties of starting to write their books. All bar one are stuck in a rut.

Their chairman, Arnold, attempts to help them by suggesting they collaborate, but this idea is not met with enthusiasm. After the meeting, a clap of thunder and a black-out bring about a collaboration that defies all their collective imaginations.

Ayckbourn based the piece on his own experiences with a writing group. The result is an affectionate satire with an incredible sense of fun.

Dick and Lottie have previously staged productions such as Round and Round the Garden, Twelfth Night and Table Manners at the LBT.

Tickets £9, concessions £7 from the theatre box office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.