It will be performed at York prior to the play's opening at the Royal National Theatre in London.

The play was written by the acclaimed writer of Amy's View, The Blue Room, Pravda and the Oscar-winning film The Hours.

It retells first-hand accounts of those most intimately involved in the privatisation of the railways.

The Theatre Royal says its is a funny, tragic and compelling story.

It adds: Why aren't people angry? They were robbed. What was theirs was given away. What was foredoomed to fail failed. And they aren't angry.

In 1991, before an election they did not expect to win, the Conservative government made a fateful decision to privatise the railways. Now, 12 years later, we subsidise the industry more lavishly than ever before.

David Hare tells the remarkable story of a dream gone sour. He and actors from Out of Joint gathered together the first-hand accounts of those most intimately involved – from every level of the system.

Funny, tragic and compelling, their voices become an extraordinary parable of British mismanagement, which raises questions about the recent history of the country.

Performances will be at 19.30 on 13, 14 and 15 November. On 15 November there is also a matinee at 2.30pm.

Ticket prices range from £6.50 - £17. (£3.50 for under 25s and students)

Box office telephone: 01904 623568

Website: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Address: Box Office, Theatre Royal, St Leonard's Place, York YO1 7HD

Information from Keith Richmond, York Kdrichmond