Banjul — English comedy, presented by a group of young English actors will feature in a ground-breaking Festival of Arts and Culture this weekend at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne.

The play is 'Daisy Pulls It Off'. It is set in the 1920s in the Grangewood School for Young Ladies, where the newcomer Daisy, a scholarship girl is at first snubbed by the other girls, then through her exploits becomes their heroine. Some years ago this witty parody of a 'school-girl yarn' enjoyed a long run at the Globe Theatre in London. 'Daisy Pulls It Off' by Denise Deegan, will be presented on Friday 20th November and Sunday 22nd November.

On Saturday 21st, Genevieve Cardos and Sam Forster will sing at a concert of classical music, followed by jazz. It will close with a variety of performances featuring the Baatin Band and other artists, and the acting group themselves. The work of the Gambian artist, Njogu Touray, and the Nigerian Charles Obakpolor, will be exhibited with other works throughout the four-day festival.

The visiting actors performing in Africa for the first time, are members of the Taunton Thespians, an award-winning acting company based in Somerset, south-west England. They have won the county drama festival award for the past five years running, as well as the Rose Bowl Award for the best Shakespeare production. They have been nominated for this year's Rose Award for best touring production, best actor and best actress.