Theatre: Joshua at New Wimbledon Studio

The play is the new offering from Hersham-based theatre company Hotbuckle Productions and follows the story of Joshua, a condemned man facing his execution with only a duck for company.

"It's a look at a man's last days," say co-director Gemma Aston.

"He is about to be executed and he doesn't know why and the only sane thing in this mad world is his duck.

"It's very funny and very thought provoking, a lot of people say one moment they are laughing out loud and the next they are crying with lots of sympathy and emotion.

"It really makes you think about things and your life.

"It's very fast-paced and keeps people in on this roller coaster ride until the very end when there's this big mexican stand off.

"Derek the duck is a bit like Wilson the volleyball in the film Castaway, it becomes another person for Joshua to talk to.

"It also represents a hint of something that has happened in his past as there are flashbacks throughout the play."

The set also includes a huge butterfly on the back wall by artist Julian Farrar.

"Joshua is an artist who hasn't done any drawing for ages," explains Gemma.

"But in his cell he starts to draw this large butterfly on his wall, he has finally started to do something but it's too late.

"He is going to die and it's going to be painted over."

Hotbuckle have been known in recent times to concentrate on children's plays but decided they wanted to branch out.

"We have a lot of work with kids because that's where we feel comfortable," says Gemma.

"We never wanted it to be the be all and end all though and always wanted to go down this route.

"It has been so enjoyable doing this we want to continue doing it as well as our children stuff.

"We are fed up with being pigeon-holed."

Joshua, New Wimbledon Studio, The Broadway, November 3 to 7, 7.45pm, (Sat matinee 3pm), £12. Call 0844 871 7646 or visit ambassadortickets.com.