THE Oldbury Rep is starting its new season with Joe Orton’s farce What The Butler Saw.

The rip-roaring story of a randy doctor trying to conduct multiple affairs was first premiered in the West End in 1969 starring Ralph Richardson.

Dr Prentice is a psychiatric doctor in an exclusive private clinic and is attempting to interview (and seduce) an attractive would-be secretary, Geraldine. Unwittingly surprised by his wife, he hides the girl.

The affairs multiply as Mrs Prentice, being seduced and blackmailed by young bellhop Nicholas Beckett, and when the government inspector arrives, chaos, underpants and cross-dressing ensues.

The farce took the theatre world by storm after its 1969 debut New York production later won the Obie Award as Best Foreign Play of The Season.

What The Butler Saw is at Oldbury Rep from Saturday, September 10 until Saturday, September 17.

The Rep has announced its line up for the 88th season, after What The Butler Saw there are more affairs of the heart with Debbie Isitt's darkly comic The Woman Who Cooked her Husband between October 10 and 15.

Then on November 5 until November 12 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Nick Lane will be scaring audiences as the classic horror tale has done for generations.

On January 6 the Oldbury Rep's famous pantomime is reprised and this time it will be the adventures of Dick Whittington by Ian Thompson.

Alun Ayckbourn's Confusions is on March 4 until March 11 and will explore the human condition through five short plays.

And in May Anthony Shaffer's classic mystery Sleuth and then to finish the season in July Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas with more tales of love and deception.

For more information about prices and show times phone 0121 522 2761 or visit www.oldburyrep.org.