Sir Alan Ayckbourn has visited Bath to help celebrate the birthday of a local theatre company.
The renowned playwright is a patron of Bath's Next Stage Theatre Company, which celebrates its 20th birthday this weekend.
Sir Alan came to see the group's final performance of his ambitious linked plays House and Garden at the Mission Theatre, which involve one cast performing two plays simultaneously to separate audiences.
Sir Alan and his wife Lady Ayckbourn met with cast and crew, before watching both plays during the course of the Saturday matinee and evening performances.
Sir Alan said he was impressed that the group managed to pull off the logistical challenges of the ambitious project.
He said: "It's by far and away the biggest venture of the company. If you get behind on one show the whole thing grinds to a halt.
"I hope they enjoyed themselves. It's fun and it's something you don't get to do as an actor very often."
The Mission Theatre in Corn Street has been specially adapted as a two-auditoria venue in order to host the Bath premiere of the plays for the group's anniversary production.
The company has performed many of Sir Alan's extensive list of works over the years, including the Norman Conquests, Time of my Life, Intimate Exchanges and Chorus of Disapproval.
Sir Alan added: "Theatre is something special. It's an enormous amount of fun, whether you're professional or amateur.
"This is a serious operation and they really want to make it work. It's terrific to see a theatre survive as long as this one has."
Next Stage artistic director Ann Garner said that she was extremely honoured by Sir Alan's visit, and that it is a recognition of the calibre of the group's work.
She said: "Putting the playwright's work in front of the playwright is terrifying and rewarding in equal measure. I'm still pinching myself.
"It still seems extraordinary to me that someone with such a high international profile has always found the time to encourage the theatre company to which he gave his patronage 15 years ago."
The celebrations continue for the Next Stage Theatre Company with a reception at the Roman Baths tomorrow evening (Sunday).
Sir Alan will give a speech during the evening and said he is looking forward to the event, which will be attended by more than 120 members, supporters, patrons and friends of the company to help celebrate its achievements over its 20-year history.
