The Company of Ten starts off the new decade with the searing thriller Alligators by Andrew Keatley.

The show will be performed at the Abbey Theatre on selected dates from Friday, January 24, to Saturday, February 1.

Daniel is a successful teacher with a loving family. But he watches his whole world crumble as an allegation is made against him by a former pupil. Is he guilty? Does it actually matter as the press and public have already made up their minds about him?

Andrew Keatley’s taut play asks how well we actually know those closest to us and explores how shameful secrets can come back to bite us.

Tina Swain, Company of Ten’s theatre manager, said: “We understand that our production is the amateur premiere of this play, and we have been given permission to use the script, which has been revised by the playwright since its run at the Hampstead Theatre. It is showing at the Abbey Theatre as part of Herts Year of Culture.”

Abbey Theatre, Holywell Hill, St Albans, selected dates from Friday, January 24, to Saturday, February 1, various times. Details: abbeytheatre.org.uk 01727 857861