UNKNOWN to many theatre-goers, the Devonshire Suite at Long Eaton's Duchess Theatre escaped the ravages of a terrible fire that largely destroyed the popular building last November. 

Amazingly, strong fire doors leading to the suite, which was officially opened by the Duke of Devonshire in 2002 after undergoing an impressive refurbishment, resisted the blaze and kept the room intact. 

Since the turn of the year, there has been plenty of activity in the suite with fundraising events including coffee mornings and a St George's Day Concert taking place. 

Now the first plays are to be performed in the Devonshire Suite and, having the pleasure of performing again at the Duchess will be the Bramcote based Riverside Drama Company who had made their home at the theatre before the blaze, along with many others. 

Now, following two successful productions performed at St John's Church Hall in Long Eaton, Riverside's members will be making a poignant return to the Duchess to put on two one-act comedies in the suite. 

In the first play, The Droitwich Discovery by Nick Warburton, four enthusiastic thespians find themselves in a dusty attic in Droitwich, an unlikely place for a Shakespearean tour, where a startling discovery is made. 

Tour guide, Mrs Craddock, explains that the Bard, then aged ten, lived there when he came to Droitwich where he was put to work ... mending drainpipes. 

George believes that he and his friends are being had, but how is it that there are boxes piled behind the closed attic door? Where is that strange voice coming from? What is in the mysterious casket?

Those questions, and many besides, will be answered by Riverside's cast of six which is being led by Martin Holtom who plays Terry, Bob Baron as George, Sylvia Holmes as Karen, Amy Hall in the role of Olive, Donna Chinn who is cast as Dilly, and Maggie Millington as Mrs Craddock.

Taking on the role of director for The Droitwich Discovery is Paul Norris, who will be looking to his team of players to "brush up on their Shakespeare" and deliver the goods in style. 

The Devonshire Suite can accommodate an audience of around 50 people who will be given full value during three performances of the double bill, the second play of which is entitled Albert. 

Directed by Rob Osmond, Albert is a comedy of language misunderstandings between people of three nationalities.

Star performer Martin Holtom takes on the role of Albert, with Donna Chinn as Karin and Paul Norris as Nico.

During the three nights of performances, collections will be made in support of the Phoenix Fund which was set up to provide the many extras needed when the new theatre is finally built. 

The Droitwich Discovery and Albert are being performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 3,4 and 5 at 7.30pm each night. 

Tickets priced £5 adults and £3.50 concessions may be booked on 0115 8750506 or on the door.