The Drop of a Pin, a play by Carol Sheppard, will be performed at Winstone Village Hall on Saturday, September 3.

This is the first time that the village hall has been the venue for a play.

Directed by Marianne Gaston, the play will be preceded by supper at 7pm.

Set in Victorian times, “The Drop of a Pin”, is a riveting four actor murder mystery with a totally unexpected twist at the very end.

It tells the tale of a poverty stricken family employed by the pin factory in Westgate Street who, as good Samaritans, take in a well to do mystery gentleman as a temporary lodger.

For a many decades, during the 18th and 19th centuries, pin making was Gloucester's main industry employing approximately 20 percent of the inhabitants, in factories and as home outworkers.

With John Crabbe ill from the factory dust in his lungs and his wife Martha’s hands stiff with arthritis they are worried for the future for themselves, and their only daughter.

Suddenly one evening there is a commotion outside in the street, an accident. The Crabbe’s rescue a stranger, (Mr Blackshaw), taking him into their home although they know nothing about him.

People connected with Elizabeth, John and Martha Crabbe’s daughter, are murdered. Her best friend Sarah, Elizabeth’s young man and the Factory Supervisor who comes to the house to collect the finished pins. Who will be next?

Mr Blackshaw goes out walking late at night, has a locked bag he wants no-one to touch and a blood stained shirt.

Is he the culprit? Are the Crabbe’s concealing a murderer in their house?

All the cast live in Gloucestershire, as does writer Carol Sheppard and director Marianne Gaston. John Crabbe, the father is played by David Holman; Martha Crabbe by Caroline Price, Elizabeth Crabbe by Lucy Wordsworth and Mr Blackshaw is Robert Coletta.

  •  The Drop of a Pin is at Winstone Village Hall on Sturday, September 3 at 7pm. Tickets to include a pre-performance buffet supper: Adults £10, under 14’s £7. Tickets from Winstone Box Office 01285 821574.