A new play by Bradford-born market researcher Amanda Collins gets an airing by Bingley Little Theatre this weekend.

News, the second play by Amanda, 36, is to be given a rehearsed reading in the Studio in BLT's premises located behind Bingley Arts Centre.

Amanda's first play, The Colour of Contradiction, did very well when it was performed at the same venue two years ago.

Since then she has taken time out to have a baby daughter. Alex is now 11 months old. Their home is in Farsley, where Amanda works in marketing for a financial services company.

Amanda said: "I'm delighted that News is to be given its first airing by BLT. They did such an impressive job with my previous play. I'm hoping other companies will also be interested in staging it."

She will be part of the audience in the Studio at the weekend, gauging the audience's reaction to News.

The play centres on Sebastian, a somewhat naïve politician, whose genuinely good intentions are manipulated by his ambitious wife Miriam, a PR consultant and a former journalist.

Although there is a cash for favours' theme - one that has tarnished to the credibility of the current Government - Amanda insists the play chiefly concerns relationships.

"It's about secrets and lies shared between the likes of Miriam, who has been hardened by experience to get what she wants, and Richard, an actor, who is trying to use government for the greater good," she added.

The Colour of Contradictions director Susan Wood is also directing the reading.

She said: "Apart from the actors reading from the script it will be a performance in all respects. There will be a set, props and lighting, and the cast will dress for their parts.

"I was thrilled to be asked to direct News. It's well-written, the characters are well-drawn and the interplay between them is clever, sharp and witty.

"It's an intriguing play which surprises and involves you from the outset and is injected throughout with feelgood humour. I'm sure audiences will love it."

The cast features BLT regulars Gilly Rogers, who was last seen in Alan Plater's Sweet William, Allan Hollings, who appeared in two plays last season and directed Ladies' Day, the opening play of the current season, and Gareth James, who was in The Taming of the Shrew last month.

Amanda, who worked in public relations for Leeds Metropolitan University in her previous job, has been writing plays for five years.

She is currently working on an idea for a sit-com which she hopes will be taken up by the BBC.

"I sent News to the BBC's Writers' Room. They sent me a favourable response and asked me to submit something else for them to look at," Amanda said.

  • News is on at Bingley Little Theatre's premises located behind Bingley Arts Centre, on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £2 and may be obtained either on the door or from (01535) 272114.