LOVE and the theme of relationships are given a comedic twist in Russell Mardell's latest play, The Seventeenth Valentine, now treading the boards at London's White Bear Theatre in Kennington.

But for one night only, the play is being performed in Salisbury, Russell's home.

"It is very important for us to perform the play in Salisbury," says Russell, who is also co-producing The Seventeenth Valentine with The Bootleg Theatre Company, based in Salisbury.

Russell has worked with Bootleg before, specifically in Clubland and Cool Blokes: Decent Suits, which were performed in the Salberg Studio at Salisbury Playhouse. Director Colin Burden, founder of Bootleg Theatre Company is delighted to be producing again: "This is the first thing we have done since Cool Blokes and a lot of good things are coming out of it."

The White Bear Theatre is a popular venue for new writing and productions, and Russell is hoping that the subject matter of his play has a broad appeal.

"I wanted to do something totally different to my former work.

"This is not your typical Valentine's play, it is a comedy about relationships and what it means to be loved."

A cast of four includes Nicholas Lumley, last seen in Salisbury at Christmas with his festive show, Boncza & Lumley, and Kerry Stockwell who is a Bootleg regular.

And a bonus is the original music, written and performed by Wendy Lloyd.

You can see The Seventeenth Valentine at Salisbury's Studio Theatre, next Tuesday, February 19. Tickets are available from Cross Keys Bookshop in Salisbury.