THE highly- talented and entertaining actors from Northumberland Theatre Company are set to tread the boards in the Borders this autumn.

Throughout September and October the cast will be touring the gripping new Bob Shannon play Heartspur.

Set in gangland Newcastle of the early 1960s, the riveting rollercoaster ride through Shakespeare's Henry VI features a fantastic rock 'n' roll score with some of the era's best known songs.

A spokesman for Northumberland Theatre Company told us: "Heartspur is a new play with music by Bob Shannon.

"The story of Harry Hotspur is set in gangland Newcastle in 1963, and is very much Henry IV Part 1 meets Get Carter meets Six-Five Special: a jukebox tragedy!

"Using the very best of Shakespeare’s words alongside modern dialogue and truly memorable songs from the girl bands of the sixties it is a night at the theatre to remember."

Heartspur hits the road next week and will continue touring throughout the north of England and south of Scotland until October 21.

On Friday, September 28 the theatre company will perform Heartspur at Longformacus Village Hall near Duns (tickets from 01835 870311) and on Friday, October 12 they will return to the Borders to stage the show at the Currie Memorial Hall in Lilliesleaf (tickets from 07854 138512).

Actors Louis Roberts, David McCarthy, John Downham, Bethan Amber Carr and Kylie Ann Ford are in final rehearsals ahead of the opening night.

And they will be joined on the road by stage manager Stuart Hanrahan.

Heartspur is directed by Gillian Hambleton with Louis Roberts as assistant director.