Spooky figures and robots, political slogans and the sound of a ukulele have all been emanating from Burnham Library.

But the library has not been taken over by musicians and revolutionaries – merely actors rehearsing their lines for five one-act plays.

Every October the library is converted into a theatre with a stage and lighting to put on a drama showcase.

Three of this year's playwrights live in Burnham and are members of Slough Writers. The Ukulele will be strummed by Terry Adlam, Michael Pearcy is responsible for the protesters and Robert Kibble has created shadowy figures representing Optimism and Pessimism who will stalk the library shelves.

Although all the plays are very different, a theme has emerged that puts characters in extreme situations and asks – how do people cope?

Terry Adlam said: “Our writers have found wildly different ways to test their characters. We’ve got a homeless man, a woman desperate for companionship, a man considering suicide, a look into the future when robots will take our jobs and a woman finding ways to cope with depression. But would you believe those themes are all served up with a large helping of comedy? We even have a musical rendition of one of these plays – I’ll leave you to guess which one that could be."

The five plays will be performed next Friday and Saturday, October 27 and 28. Tickets are available from the library or www.friendsofburnhamlibrary.org.

This is the fourth drama showcase that Slough Writers has mounted - part of the annual fund-raising activities for The Friends of Burnham Library (FoBL).

The FoBL chairman Andrew Strathdee said: “Last year the show was a sell-out and this year we are putting on the show for two nights. Our thanks go to the willing volunteers who turn the library into a theatre and the team who work to provide refreshments. They have all had their workload doubled but it is in an excellent cause. The only consolation is they will get to see the show twice.”