The mighty Roman Empire taken on in Westacre Theatre's production of Ben Hur

Sensational sea battles, the birth of Christ and THE chariot race; all part of the action-packed plot unfolding on stage at Westacre Theatre!

Back in 1880, General Lew Wallace wrote one of the best-selling novels of the century.

An absolute classic, it was called Ben Hur. A silent film appeared in 1925 but the version that we all readily recall is the 1959 biblical cinematic epic from MGM starring Charlton Heston.

That Ben Hur film is memorable by any standards because it features 365 speaking parts plus an army of more than 50,000 extras across ancient amphitheatres and vast vistas, winning it an amazing 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

So how could this timeless story of monumental proportions fit into a West Norfolk theatre?

During last summer, the Westacre Theatre Company staged a pocket-sized production of The 39 Steps which had been previously performed in the West End for more than nine years.

So successful was the run at Westacre, that it enjoyed a welcome revival in the autumn.

Following admirable acclaim for smash hit The 39 Steps, playwright Patrick Barlow then cleverly devised a highly compressed Ben Hur.

With the original premiere in 2012, the cast of just four rely on lightning quick changes, countless corny puns, and a wealth of comic effects.

Please go to see it ready to be highly amused, because for sure you will be.

Retaining its heroic quality, it is still fun and frolics for all the family as four young actors take on the mighty Roman Empire.

Opening on Thursday, August 8, there will be nine shows at Westacre Theatre. You can book online by visiting www.westacretheatre.com or by calling 01760 755800.

This is also a timely showing as currently screening in local cinemas is Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.