THESPIANS at St Mary's School, Calne, paid a theatrical tribute to America last week when they performed two plays based in New York and Louisiana.

Both female-centred plays, Steel Magnolias and Machinal, were received enthusiastically by a full house at the school's Delscey Burns Theatre.

Head of drama Lilian Leadbetter said: "This year my search for the autumn production led me to two texts, both offering ample opportunities for role development and both with intriguing parallels and paradoxes in their plots and themes.

"So the concept emerged. Why not perform two plays linked together and see whether they could be interlinked dramatically in an interesting way?"

Since the events in New York on September 11, Miss Leadbetter said a performance that celebrated both 1980s Louisiana and 1920s New York, had even more poignancy.

Steel Magnolias was first produced in New York in 1987 for six women.

But it was adapted for the St Mary's School production so ten girls could take part.

In both Steel Magnolias and Machinal, by Sophie Treadwell, the lead female character suffers from a debilitating disease and dies early.

Headmistress Carolyn Shaw said: "Performances were well received and the girls were congratulated on the professional standards achieved."

Miss Leadbetter thanked the school's music department for its assistance.

The proceeds from a collection were donated to Kidney Research, the chosen charity of student Eloise Newnham, who played Clairee in Steel Magnolias.