A neatly laid out desk sits quietly in the corner of a room with views overlooking the lake at Lawton Hall.

Nearby, a guitar sits on display and black and white framed pictures of the Beatles are on other side of the room.

Halfway up the stairs, a collection of framed memorabilia includes Paul McCartney and Billy Joel.

This is the home of a talented writer and show producer who has worked with top names, including Victoria Wood.

Currently working on a theatre production of Men Behaving Badly, David Graham splits his time between Church Lawton and London.

But on Monday (November 28th), he will see his latest production, the ever-popular character, Eric, come to life again for local audiences.

David's loveable rogue 'Eric' is back at the New Vic this festive season, as David Graham Productions bring a fun-packed Christmas show.

The shows are always a massive hit and something which are special to David, show producer and performer, as they are set in the 60s.

"I was in a band in my youth and have always loved playing the guitar," says David who will once again be strumming his stuff on stage.

Church Lawton Hall near Alsager

I was besotted with music and the Beatles like so many people ad the American West coast music."

During lockdown, David wrote a novel about Eric, 'Eight Days a Week, packed with all the fun of the loveable character.

"He's a bit like a northern version of Del Boy and Rodney," says David. "He's everything you wouldn't want a man to be."

In the current production, Eric's Christmas Turkey, the loveable rogue sees his local Amateur Dramatic Society looking for men to take part in their Christmas production and he realises they must have an excess of women.

As 'an excess of women' is Eric's idea of heaven he signs up. However, double bookings of the rehearsal space, an over-enthusiastic producer and several other events lead to an interesting production.

David, who originally hails from North Wales and did English and Drama at Swansea University, loves writing in is Church Lawton home.

"It's a great place to write and relax and I am very lucky," says David who loves the area.

"It's very central, has great transport links and lovely towns nearby like Alsager."

David writes much of his work at his Church Lawton desk, overlooking tranquil countryside which provides the place to think and work.

David said: "Eric's Christmas Turkey is a reworking of a show we did back in 2013 where Eric joins an amateur dramatic society and ends up performing the lead role in a play which goes wrong in just about every way possible. 

The New Vic Theatre where David's production is taking place

"We've got a great cast for this one and the second act makes us all fall about every time we do it. 

"It's very funny and, as always, there's some great 60s music as well with a number of songs we've never performed before. 

"You know, I read recently that three of the best ways to release endorphins (the hormones that make us happy) is to laugh with friends, listen to your favourite music and dance. 

"Come along and you'll get all three in abundance."

Eric's Christmas Turkey takes to the stage at the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme from Monday (November 28th) until December 10th 2022.

Tickets are priced from £22.00. For more information and to book call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or online at https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/book-tickets/