Isle of Wight-based Newchurch Drama Group is inviting audiences to book tickets for ‘the craziest ferry crossing ever’ next month.

It is staging the premiere of ‘Murder on the Midnight Ferry’ at Newchurch Community Hall on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, with a Sunday matinee on April 14.

The drama group, which has been going for more than 40 years, will be returning to Newchurch Community Hall for the first time in nearly five years.

The group says laughter and bewilderment is on special offer, along with the cheapest ferry tickets for years, and lots of Island references for you to try and spot.

The play – a cross between a farce, a panto and a murder mystery – comes from Island actor, Kevin Wilson, who writes under the pen name of Heaton Wilson.

You can book tickets online at ticketsource.co.uk/newchurchdramagroup, or by calling 07562 050165.

Kevin said: “There are only six passengers, including a busybody called Mrs Marble and a hopeless detective, and it’s not long before we discover that the captain has been killed.

“Or has he? So, who did it? And are any of these people who they say they are?”

Newchurch Drama Group says it is “drastically undercutting its ‘competitors’ by charging only £7.50 to get on board”.

Kevin said: “We hope Island ferry operators will forgive us for claiming that our ferry will be leaving on time.

“So, please book early so you don’t miss the boat!”