THE grave digger of Elsinore had a small but important role in Hamlet - but now he buries his past and gets his own play at Guildford's Mill Studio.

Alas Poor Yorick, on Thursday, October 21, is a witty and intelligent comedy inspired by the characters and language of William Shakespeare.

The grave digger takes a journey through a world grown out of Shakespeare's words, meeting fools and kings and trying to find the answer to the ultimate question - what is the meaning of life?

But how far will he go - and will he end up discovering the nature of death?

Alas Poor Yorick comes from Works Well Productions, seen recently at the Mill with Kill the Messenger.

The company was formed in 2000 to produce new and innovative work based around the works of Shakespeare and other classical material.

A spokesman for the company, which combines witty scripts with high-energy and physical performance, said: "We believe in making Shakespeare fun - providing dynamic entertainment, employing various theatrical styles and combining originality with tradition - in writing and performance."

Alas Poor Yorick is at the Mill Studio, Millbrook, Guildford, on Thursday, October 21, at 8pm.

Tickets, priced £10 (£5 student standby), are available from the box office on 01483 440000.