A THEATRE company is to replay the harrowing ordeals of two Suffolk-based hostages who were held captive in Beirut, it was revealed today.

A THEATRE company is to replay the harrowing ordeals of two Suffolk-based hostages who were held captive in Beirut, it was revealed today.

Tryst Theatre from Scotland is bringing the play Someone Who'll Watch Over Me to Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion on May 24 as part of the resort's week-long drama festival.

The work by Frank McGuinness is based on the real-life ordeals of Terry Waite, Brian Keenan, John McCarthy and Thomas Sutherland and is set in 1989 in a Beirut cellar.

John McCarthy, who lives near Woodbridge, was held until August 1991, while Terry Waite, who lives near Bury St Edmunds, had originally gone to Beirut to secure the release of other hostages when he was snatched from the street in January 1987.

Director of the play Alan Clark said: “An Englishman, an Irishman and an American are taken hostage by unseen Arabs.

“They find themselves chained up together in a filthy cellar and are simultaneously powerless, angry, terrified and bored.

“The play - heartrendingly compassionate, tenderly tragic but also uproariously funny -explores their daily crisis, how in the midst of the horror they find strength from communication, humour and faith and how they deal with the very real prospect of going insane.

“Twenty years on, with hostages still languishing in the Middle East, Frank McGuinness's life-enhancing play has a timeless relevance and resonance.”

The hostages will be played by Jim Allan, Alan Clark and Brian Paterson.

Tryst, from Falkirk, are former British and Scottish drama champions and are making their debut at Felixstowe.

Founded more than 30 years ago, they travel extensively and have performed in places as far afield as Norway, Ireland, Inverness and Israel.

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FASTFACTS: Felixstowe Drama Festival line-up

Saturday May 23 - Roots, Rushmere Players, Ipswich.

Sunday May 24 - Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Tryst Theatre, Scotland.

Monday May 25 - The Roses of Eyam, Deben Players, Woodbridge.

Tuesday May 26 - Absurd Person Singular, Parkside Players, Essex.

Thursday May 28 - The Woman who cooked her Husband, Making Waves, Essex.

Friday May 29 - Audience with Murder, Cardiff Players, Wales.

Saturday May 30 - Teechers, In Yer Space, Preston.