AS Holocaust Memorial Day was marked on Sunday, Blackburn Arts Club moved into the latter stages of rehearsal for their next production.

Broken Glass, by Arthur Miller – perhaps best known for The Crucible – is set in pre-World War Two Brooklyn, New York, telling the story of Jewish couple Philip and Sylvia Gellburg.

A club spokesman said: “Their seemingly harmonious life is shattered when Sylvia succumbs to a mystery paralysis of the legs.

“Is it coincidence that news has just reached New York of the attacks on Jewish-owned stores in Berlin, giving a dark foreboding of worse to come for Europe’s Jews? Other possible reasons come under close scrutiny as her doctor gets closer than a doctor should looking for a cure for this inexplicable illness.”

The club is staging the ‘hidden gem’ play as the ‘perfect antidote to the froth and fluff of the festive season’.

The spokesman added: “It is a gripping tale of passion, compassion, hurt and the search for healing and it’s shot through with dark humour.”

The play runs from Tuesday to Saturday, March 11 to 15, 7.30pm, at the Clubhouse Theatre on Gibraltar Street, Blackburn. Tickets can be booked by ringing 01254 664642 or 52910. Concessions available Tuesday and Wednesday.