A development of a one-act play Tim Firth wrote back in the early 1990s, Sign Of The Times is the story of Frank Tollit, who has had his head in the clouds for more than 25 years – almost literally.

Frank’s day job consists of putting up giant letters on the sides of buildings, but he dreams of becoming a spy-novelist.

It is an ambition going unrealised until salvation arrives in the unlikely form of a clumsy teenager, 30 years his junior, on work experience.

Unprepared for what they are about to learn, the pair find that, balancing 60ft up on the edge of a building, they can gain a bright new understanding of life and each other.

The production, which reunites Firth with Ballykissangel’s Stephen Tompkinson for the first time since their award-winning TV series Preston Front, was originally a one-acter called A Man Of Letters, focusing on two workmen assembling giant, illuminated letters along an office balcony 60ft above the ground.

Firth later developed the character of Frank, the older of the two men, in his follow-up play, Absolutely Frank.

Rather than have Frank try to pass on expertise in electrical installation to Alan, the youth on work experience, Firth made him redundant and instead had a young man attempt to groom Frank for a new job.

This latest variation sees Firth playing on a different dynamic between the two men. Frank’s awareness that, at heart, he lacks the talent for novel writing, while Alan is neglecting his own genuine artistic skills, now connects the two halves of the play.

  • 7.45pm, matinees 2.30pm Wednesday and Saturday, tickets £13.50-£21, 01323 412000