The magnificent 17th Century Country Estate, Carlton Towers, North Yorkshire and Clap Trap Productions are delighted to present 'The Good Doctor' - an evening of live theatre on 22nd May 2014.

The Good Doctor is a series of six short plays written by legendary playwright Anton Chekhov and adapted by Neil Simon. The stories will be brought to life by the talented and dynamic Clap Trap Theatre Productions, who are a travelling theatre company based in Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Theatre lovers can appreciate a dramatic arrival into this gothic country estate, which boasts a winding driveway up to this stunning Grade 1 listed building, which has stood in the village of Carlton for 400 years.

Carlton Towers is the ancestral seat of the Duke of Norfolk and the exclusive-use stately home is now the much-loved home of Lord & Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard and their three children.

As guests enter the breathtaking house they will be greeted with an indulgent champagne and canapé reception before taking their seats in the magnificent Venetian Drawing Room to enjoy a live performance from the clever crew at Clap Trap Productions.

The depictions of the stories are mysterious, humourous yet seductive, and are acted out with clever precision by Clap Trap Productions to bring Neil Simon's 1974 Broadway adaptation into the present time.

There will be seven actors, a trunk full of costumes, and witty drama to bring the pages of the play to life.

There's the tale of a crafty lothario who goes to work on a married woman, but is he really in control of this seduction? There's another of a father who takes his son to a house where he'll be initiated into the mysteries of sex - or will he? And let's not forget the classic tale of the man who offers to drown himself for three rubles!

Guests can also enjoy a show-stopping three course dinner after the production in the atmospheric state room of Carlton Towers.

If guests would like to make an evening of it, they can choose to stay overnight in one of the 16 stunning suites, which have been beautifully refurbished by Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard herself, and are decorated with ornate furnishings and family heirlooms to ensure guests feel right at home.

Tickets are available for the event for £70 per person, including champagne and canapé reception, and three course dinner.

Overnight stays cost £250 per couple, and this includes tickets, champagne and canapé reception, three course dinner and breakfast the following morning.

To book your place at this event, please call Carlton Towers on 01405 861 662 or E: nicola@carltontowers.co.uk

For media enquiries, high-res images or more information, please contact Cath Couzens, Perception Sales & Marketing Ltd. on 0845 293 2552 or E: pr3@perception-uk.com

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Notes to Editors:-

Carlton Towers

Carlton Towers is a striking 17th century stately home set in 250 acres of stunning private parkland in Carlton, North Yorkshire. With magnificent architecture, a distinct family heritage and a beautiful tranquil setting surrounded by an estate kept going through the ages.

The unique country estate is available for exclusive hire all year round, including filming, weddings, exclusive use house parties, festivals and family celebrations.

The house itself features 16 luxurious bedrooms, three large State Rooms spanning 150ft, a minstrel's gallery, beautiful light-filled drawing room and large imposing entrance halls. Carlton Towers is located in the village of Carlton, close to York, Doncaster and Leeds.

Clap Trap Theatre Productions

Clap Trap Productions is a touring theatre company based in Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Founded in 2006 by Gareth Jenkins and Cal Stockbridge, Clap Trap is committed to producing intimate, naturalistic and emotionally engaging theatre. As one audience member put it, after a recent production at the York Theatre Royal:

"It was the first performance I'd seen where I actually forgot I was in a theatre and these were actors. I felt I was in that room with them..."

Past Clap Trap shows include "Duet For One" (Tom Kempinski),"Not About Heroes" (Stephen MacDonald ), "Ghosts" (Henrik Ibsen), "The Wreckers" (Tom Needham) and "Doubt" (John Patrick Shanley).

The company has toured throughout Yorkshire and beyond, performing in a huge variety of venues; rural and urban, old and new, large and small. Amongst others, the company have made regular appearances at The Georgian Theatre in Richmond, Ilkley Playhouse, Leeds Carriageworks, Helmsley Arts Centre, Pipe Ridware Theatre, Staffs and the New Diorama, London.