June 11, 2001 20:02: Polite society in the 18th century was rife with gossip, scandal and secret love affairs, and, let's face it, nothing much has changed today.

Sheridan's wickedly-funny comedy of manners, The School for Scandal, takes us back in time to London of the late-1770s, where Sir Peter Teazle has married a simple country maid much younger than himself.

Lady Teazle quickly transforms herself into the leader of a school for scandal which meets regularly to rip their friends' reputations to pieces.

The scandalmongers are the enemies of everyone and the root of all the gossip. Meet Sir Benjamin Backbite, Lady Sneerwell, Mrs Candor and Mrs Crabtree.

The School for Scandal is at The Stag, London Road, Sevenoaks, from Wednesday, June 20, to Saturday, June 23. Performances start at 8pm and tickets, priced from £5 to £10, are available from the box office on 01372 450175.

Fiona McIntosh will be signing for the hard of hearing during the performance on Friday, June 22.

Tracey Wye