IT is the Third Millennium and The Tower, a brooding monolith to the once splendid technology of the 20th century now stands in the grip of decline and

degeneration.

Otley's millennium community play The Tower is a journey to the basement (Hell) and back again in a quest for redemption and renewal.

Written by Michael Wood and produced by Otley Community Players, The Tower is being performed at the civic centre, Cross Green, from July 10 to 15.

Tickets on Monday evening cost £3.50 but all other nights are £5 with concessions priced at £2.50. Ring (01943) 466256.

Funded by a National Lottery grant through the Millennium Commission and forming part of the UK-wide Millennium Festival Otley Town Council Korks Wine Bar & Brasserie Manor Books & Music.

The choices for the characters are stark, conserve what you have and continue the decline or smash the Tower and all it represents in the uncertain hope that new possibilities might arise from the ruins of the old regime. Back in the 20th Century, technology produced a brave new world of perfectibility. Everything was amenable to a techno-fix.

This Tower, now controlled by the enigmatic Dr Spleeny (Richard Sabey, last seen as Prospero in 1999's The Tempest) and the inaccessible Tara, is the future consequence of this relentless quest for perfection.

The young couple, Cog (Stewart Boucher) and Calypso (Suzanne Whittle) are the questors trying to find love, compassion and spiritual fulfilment in this soulless world.

As they journey to Hell and back they are guided by a broken cynic - Shard (Ray Child) and the irrepressible cleaning lady - Ma Septic (Frances Taylor). Both these characters manage to retain a spark of humanity through life's difficulties.

Cog and Calypso are caught in limbo between the pulls and pressures of these two groups of people. What choices will they make at the end of the quest: a sequence of betrayals, disappointments and the playing out of self destructive obsessions?

Perhaps the key which will unlock their future is in the hands of Harlequin - an ethereal and mischievous companion whose enduring quality is to turn certainty on its head and make everyone question everything they say.

As the questors descend and ascend the different levels of the Tower they have to overcome obstacles and dangers placed in their way by the Jazz Police, the Fiddlers From Hell and the Freud Squad.

They also encounter the strange ambivalence of the awesome Fillibeg - Queen of Hell and the Triads - an ever changing trinity of seductive females who sometimes hinder, sometimes help but always care and have something to teach the questors.

The only remaining question at the end of the journey is: can regeneration take place? Can Cog and Calypso reach each other after all the deceit, manipulation and cynical self interest.

Will the science of Spleeny or the soul of Shard win the hearts and heads ofthe couple and will the Tower be a better or worse place for the next generation as they begin their own quest?

Including original music, The Tower should prove to be fitting tribute to the 20th century.