Anyone who has ever put on a play knows it takes imagination, energy and many hours of rehearsals to get it right.

So, what would possess people to do the thing in just 24 hours? So-called Play in a Day events have become increasingly popular, with everyone from local theatre groups to the West End's finest getting in on the act.

The Old Vic in Waterloo mounts a 24-hour gala every October, when famous writers, actors and directors come together to create six short plays in just one day, culminating in a star-studded show on the 200-year-old stage.

Previous participants include Jim Broadbent, Joseph Fiennes, Brooke Shields and Gael Garia Bernal but, with prices starting at £75, this is a ticket too hot for the average theatre-goer's clutches.

Thank goodness then for Cuddington Players' inaugural Play in a Day at Banstead and Nork Community Centre this Sunday.

Everybody is welcome, from the most experienced thespian to the shyest newcomer, with ample chance to get involved on, behind and in front of the stage.

The choice of piece, Wiliam Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, could not be more appropriate, given its play-within-a-play structure.

Organisers can only hope the Players do better than Shakespeare's rude mechanicals', Bottom, Peter Quince and co, whose Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe leave much to be desired.

Rachel Jarvis, who organised a similar event for Teddington Theatre Club earlier this year, is full of enthusiasm for the Play in a Day experience.

Together with director Ben Clare, Jarvis and her 30-strong cast successfully put together a production of Alan Acykbourne's Confusions in 24 hours, from the announcement of the play at 6pm on Saturday to curtain up at the same time the following evening.

"We auditoned beforehand but nobody in the cast knew what they were reading for until the day itself," says Jarvis.

"The experience brings everyone to the same level and even the actors were offering to paint the set on the day. The atmosphere was incredible."

Throwing together a full set and costumes was tough, says Jarvis, but the biggest challange was faced by the actors learning their lines in time - sleepless nights were had by one and all.

In the event, the prompt was called on just twice and the show raised £1,200 for designated charity Epilepsy Action.

Jarvis says: "It's taught us that if we can do it in 24 hours, we can certainly do it in 12 weeks. You don't need months of planning to stage a successful show."

Cuddington Players have yet to face the challenge but they would do well to mark the words of Quince himself: "To show our simple skill, That is the true beginning of our end."

Play in a Day - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Banstead and Nork Community Centre, Nork Way, Banstead, Sunday, August 20, 10am, £10/£5 members including refreshments and lunch. For details call 07989 896 478 or email cuddington players@hotmail.com