With its evocative title and chocolate addicted theme, 'The Curse of the Holbrook Zombies' is a performance like no other.

Superbly written by Holbrook's Robin Steggles and Sharon Hulm were perfectly complemented by exciting debut-making producer Scar Price, whose talent belies their 15-years of age.

Debut-making director Scar Price (Picture: Nub News)

Age aside, Scar has put together an excellent evening of entertainment. The minimalist scenery, appropriate choice of music and ability to get the best out of an energetic cast that appeared to be enjoying themselves as much as the audience, showed a mature and focused ability.

Sharp observations of the Holbrook Co-op, GP surgery and the 92 bus service, struck a chord with anyone that knows the Shotley Peninsula's travails.

However, you do not need to be villager, to enjoy the witty exchanges, the humour works on many levels, and last nights response from the audience ranged from titters to belly laughs.

Dastardly docter Oliver Keeble and nurse Bolic-Steroid Emily Tromans (Picture: Nub News)

Oliver Keeble was commanding as Dr Abercrombie, which rhymes with - well never mind. His partner in crime, nurse Anna Bolic-Steroid was showed versatility and sharpest, and demonstrated her good voice too.

Naomi Mitchell and Lynne Catling played the patients as if they had been waiting in a GP surgery all their lives, and led the way as chocolate-chasing Zombies.

The junior chorus of Isobel Tromans, Kayley Squirrell, Nancy Wright and Ffion Whalley (who also played the jobsworth bus driver) were more than just cute, they added to the show in a meaningful and colourful way.

As we know, every village has a matriarchal figure, with a colourful past, and Queenie Wobegone (Josie Tromans) was an unlikely heroine, showing wisdom really does come with age - and various gin flavours. Beatrice Picknell is the love-struck Nurse Ambrosia whose feelings for Dr Heartsease (Ace Keeble) are not confined to the stockroom.

The real love interest though is the dedicated Co-op trainee manager Peony Raddish (Aliesha Ranson) and effervescent Khaleesi Hopkins as Sam Stoutheart who was prepared to go all 'Just Stop the Bus' protestor to save the village.

Peony's hapless assistant Jesse Halfgone (Casper Martin) clearly enjoyed his role, and the in-jokes, with his infectious laughter.

If I'm going to be a critical friend I would say the show lost its way a little in the second half, meaning the narrator, Angela Arnold, a frustrated actor herself that threw in a few amusing side swipes, was made to work harder promoting than she should have been.

Angela Armold, amusing add ons. (Picture: Nub News)

In a week that West End theatre impresario Bill Kenwright passed away a new producer and directorial star was born and I have no doubt Scar will have dealt with those issues by the time tonight's performance gets underway, while the sound system issues are out of their hands but are being dealt with by the group.

You can help by becoming a Friend of Shotley Drama Group for £20 and it will be a score worth settling.

It was a brave move for Scar, a talented actor and singer in their own right, to step up but if this is anything to ago by we will be hearing, and seeing a lot more, as his career path progresses.

As with any top production, there is a small army of helpers backstage, too many to list here, so buy a programme and the all important refreshment providers Sarah from the Rose and volunteers from the Shotley & Erwrton WI.

Tickets for tonight's 'The Curse of the Holbrook Zombies' are available at the Rose Inn, and on the door, which opens at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets are also available for Saturday's performance, which begins at 2.30.