A play by one of the world's most famous modern playwrights is set to come to Dorchester.

Amateur theatre group, Dorchester Drama are staging their production of Bertolt Brecht's thought-provoking play, the Caucasian Chalk Circle.

The play will open on Thursday, April 5 at Dorchester's Shire Hall which stood at the centre of local law and government for more than two centuries.

It was here that the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried in 1834, and later Thomas Hardy sat as a magistrate.

Newly transformed into a centre for heritage and learning, plans for exhibitions and events are under way and Dorchester Drama is said to be 'delighted' to be staging its spring production at the unique venue this spring.

Along with their new venue, the group also welcomes on board a new director in Sean Colledge, who's vision will bring the political classic to life.

Largely described as a 'political morality play', the Caucasian Chalk Circle is an examination of socialism and the way different parts of society interact.

But far from dry, the play is also a rollicking good story with good guys, bad guys, and the morally ambiguous.

The dispute between the governor’s wife, who abandoned her baby during a coup, and Grusha, the young servant who saved the child and cared for him, is settled by an eccentric judge, Adzak.

The play features one of the great comic figures of modern drama in Adzak, the village clerk turned judge, must decide who the child belongs to is.

Adzak places the child in a chalk circle and declares that whichever woman can pull him from the circle will be granted custody.

The amateur production is a Eric Bentley translation and is staged in arrangement with Samuel French.

Performances will be at 7.30pm Thursday, April 5, Friday, April 6 and Saturday April 7.

Tickets cost £9 in advance or £10 on the door and are available from the box office on 01305 268692 or online at dorchesterdrama.org