THE classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers is set to tickle ribs at Oldbury Rep next week.

A gang of criminal misfits posing as amateur musicians, who are planning their next heist, come up against a formidable enemy - the sweet old lady whose house they have moved into.

The leader of the gang Professor Marcus, played by Alec Guinness in the 1955 classic film and Tom Hanks in the 2004 Coen Brothers remake, comes up with an ingenious robbery plan which includes the unwitting Mrs Wilberforce.

Japes ensue when Mrs Wilberforce becomes suspicious of her new lodgers and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet - killing her.

However, with the help of her parrot General Gordon, the spinster plays a hilarious game of cat and mouse with the five increasingly desperate criminals.

The Oldbury Rep's production stars Janet Grant as Mrs Wilberforce, Guy Radforth as Professor Marcus, Andy Bartlam as Louis and Dan Gallagher as Harry.

Alan Wood, press officer for the Oldbury Rep, said: "Originally The Ladykillers began life as one of the famous Ealing Film Studios' comedies.

"The original was made in 1955 and starred Katie Johnson as Mrs Wilberforce and Alec Guinness as Marcus, it has now achieved classic status.

"In 1966 it was adapted as an opera by Czech composer Ilja Hurnick as The Lady and the Robbers and the Coen Brothers directed a Hollywood remake in 2004, relocating the action to Mississippi."

He added: "This present stage adaptation was premiered at The Geilgud Theatre in 2011and written by Graham Linehan, creator of Father Ted."

The production runs from Saturday, March 7, until Saturday, March 14 and performances start at 7.30pm.

For more information phone 0121 552 2761 or visit www.oldburyrep.org, tickets cost £10 with the usual concessions at £9 with a special price on Monday and Tuesday evenings of £8.

The next film being shown at the Barlow Theatre, as part of the Screen on the Green season, is the Miners' Strike comedy Pride on Friday, March 27.

And then on Friday, April 10, the everyone's Peruvian bear Paddington comes to town, all tickets are £3.50.