TOWN councillors in Malmesbury were so impressed with a theatre production that they intend to invite more acting companies to perform at the town hall in the future.

The award-winning Watermill Theatre entertained a 120-strong audience with a production of The Comedian last Saturday.

It was the first time a professional touring company had played at the town hall.

Mayor Patrick Goldstone said: "It was a wonderful evening. I think we even made a profit. It would be nice to have other acting groups like this come again."

The touring company used its own equipment to set up the stage in the Hobbes Room and impressed on-lookers with its professionalism.

Town clerk Phil Rice said the show went extremely well.

"The Watermill company was absolutely excellent. You had to concentrate to understand the story as it was quite intense, and it was exhilarating and stressful for those behind the scenes. But during the play the Hobbes Room looked really super."

Coun Catherine Doody who helped organise the production said she would support another touring company in the future.

Coun Doody said: "We had a very good response to the play. It is nice to do something like this in Malmesbury. The company said they particularly enjoyed the feeling and atmosphere of the Hobbes Room. I hate plays that are predictable and this was an intense piece of theatre by all three actors. It was great."

The production portrays an ageing alternative comedian called Jimmy Baker who confronts his personal ghosts to find out what is left to laugh at and why.