A REMARKABLE true story will be given a fresh lease of life when a Manningtree theatre company stages its latest production.

The Manifest Theatre, in Oxford Road, Manningtree, will perform The Lady in the Van, by Alan Bennett.

The Lady in the Van tells the true story of Bennett’s strained friendship with Mary Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman who Bennett befriended in the 1970s.

He allowed her to temporarily park her van in the driveway of his Camden home, thinking she would only remain there for about a month - she stayed for 15 years.

As the story develops Bennett learns his new neighbour is really Margaret Fairchild, a former gifted pupil of the pianist Alfred Cortot.

She had played the piano in a classical promenade concert, tried to become a nun, was committed to an institution by her brother, escaped, had an accident when her van was hit by a motorcyclist for which she believed herself to blame, and lived in fear of arrest.

The story inspired a book, a play and a feature film. Maggie Smith played the role of Miss Shepherd in the West End production and for the film adaptation.

Now the Manifest Theatre group has carefully crafted their own rendition, starring Paul George, Paul Reed and Helen Bridge and directed by Kerry King.

Kerry said: “I love plays based on true stories. We have two actors playing Alan Bennett, because there are two Bennetts in the story one who is the author watching the other doing these things for the lady.

“We have had help in constructing the set and van from Manningtree Tyres and Jewsons.”

Bennett himself has reached out to the Manningtree theatre group, offering his own best wishes ahead of the production.

He said: “I wish you all the very best with your production of The Lady in the Van.

“Mrs Shepherd’s van must once have been as smart as this, but I never saw it in that sort of trim, and nor did she.

“I hope you are enjoying doing the play and that the audience will too.”

The Manifest Theatre, in Oxford Road, Manningtree, will stage its production from Tuesday, March 14, until Saturday, March 18.

Performances start at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be booked at manifesttheatre.co.uk.