A NEW drama group in Swindon is looking for an elderly woman to be murdered with a bust of Beethoven.

The King's Men is looking for actors and actresses to perform in their production of the cult Stanley Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange.

Lee Andrews, producer and director, has been advertising around the town for people to audition for roles in the play.

He said: "We've had a lot of responses, but they are mainly from the 19 to 35 age group. People seem to think of this as a young person's play but there are some older parts too."

He said that he had had telephone calls from women asking what kind of roles are available for women.

He said: "There are roles, but they are not all that pleasant. Women need to be warned that it's a visual play and there is a possibility of some nudity or theatrical assault.

"The trickiest scene will be the rape. We need an actress who is going to be responsible with the role and who knows what she's getting into."

Lee, 25, of Old Town, has set up the King's Men with three friends.

He said: "We felt there isn't a theatre group in town that produces the sort of plays we like to watch, so we decided to form our own. We wanted to do a play that would tell the world that we are here. We hope it will lead other like minded people to bring along their own plays.

"Our philosophy is to give a platform to people who come along with their own original ideas."

The auditions are being held at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road tomorrow at 7.30pm. For more information call 07773 379 699.

CONTROVERSIAL Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange

THE Clockwork Orange was originally a novel by Anthony Burgess, written in 1962.

It tells the story of 15-year-old Alex, leader of a teenage gang who delights in stealing, beating, and raping the helpless citizens of a futuristic London.

Critics saw the novel as an impassioned plea for the necessity of human free will.

The film version, starring Malcolm McDowell, came out in 1972. It was billed as an "adventure of a young man whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven".

The film caused a storm of controversy. Mary Whitehouse, campaigner for family values, said it was sickening and disgusting.

She added: "I had to come out after 20 minutes."

The film was on general release for 61 weeks before the director Stanley Kubrick, under pressure caused by the controversy, banned the film from public exhibition.

It has only recently been re-released following Kubrick's death.