FOR their final production of the 2001/2002 season, Rowntree Players have selected a classic costume play,Pride And Prejudice , directed by Shirley Patrick.

Next week's performances at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, in York, require a large cast comprising experienced hands and talented newcomers.

Mr and Mrs Bennet are played by Tim Morrison and Katrina Knowles. Tim is making his debut appearance with the Players but has a varied acting background in anything from Shakespeare to Samuel Beckett to pantomime.

Katrina has appeared in Players' pantomimes and is a member of the York Ladies singing group, a regular participant in the annual Festival of Remembrance at York Barbican Centre. Her fellow York Lady, Stephanie Crossley, is cast as Jane Bennet.

Debbie Britton is in the cast list for the first time this season, playing Lady Lucas; Ruth Batty makes one of her all too rare appearances for the Players, taking the role of Elizabeth Bennet. Jill Pearson, as Mrs Gardiner, and Kate Newall, as Miss Bingley, turn their attention to Jane Austen's story after leading roles in Sandcastles and Natural Causes.

The key role of Mr Darcy is taken by Lee Howes, who acquired experience in acting and directing at Cambridge University and is now studying at the College of Law in York. Schoolboy Tom Hutchinson has plenty on his plate, not only playing Wickham for the Players but also rehearsing for Kes, this term's production at Joseph Rowntree School, and he has performed in Flying Ducks Youth Theatre shows too.

Roy Powell and Andy Welch, two Players with many leading roles behind them, add Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam and Mr Collins respectively to their CV, and the company also features Peter Major, Jane Piears, Kate Horwell, Ed Marcus, Samantha McIntyre, Doris Parker, Elizabeth Jackson, Sophie Bernstein, Tom Bell, Jane Slingsby, Alan Rome and Julian Stephenson.

Pride And Prejudice runs from May 2 to 4 at 7.30pm nightly, and tickets cost £6, concessions £5 for under 16s and over 60s, available from York Theatre Royal box office, tel 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, April 26, 2002