PORTLAND'S Royal Manor Theatre Company kicks off it's 60th anniversary season and breaks new ground with the Ben Elton play Popcorn.

The play contains strong language, scenes of violence and of a sexual nature and the question arises, is it just a gimmick?

"Certainly not!" said director Timothy Bowen. "In 1998 this play was awarded the Lawrence Olivier award for the best new comedy and the Barclays award for best new play, you don't get that with just gimmicks.

"The strong language, sex and violence define these characters and the context of the play. It is part of how they lead their lives. The play is about power and responsibility and at the same time is a very funny play."

Bruce Delamitri, a Tarantino-style film director, makes films in which he uses his power to persuade people to see violence as art.

Wayne and Scout are Bonnie and Clyde types who, in real life, live violently and are portrayed in Delamitri's films.

When Wayne and Scout bring violence into Delamitri's own home the ensuing debate about responsibility for it is very thought provoking, raising interesting questions about how the society we live in deals with individual and collective responsibility.

The Royal Manor Theatre Company (RMTC) has come a long way since its inception in 1947 as the Portland Dramatic Society (PDS).

From it's inception to May 2005, 139 full-length plays have been performed, together with numerous one acts and sketches.

The play runs from Monday to Saturday, March 5 to 10 at the Royal Manor Theatre, Fortuneswell on Portland.

Tickets will be available from Danny's in Fortuneswell, RT Cards Easton and from the theatre box office on 01305 860792 from Monday, February 26 and will cost £8 plus concessions. For more details and tickets, go on-line at www.rmtcportland.co.uk