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One of the most spectacular and unlikely theatre events of last year took place a long way from the West End of London in the small Dorset town of Bridport. The Poor Man's Friend, written by playwright Howard Barker and performed by hundreds of towns-people, was the inspiration of Ann ellicoe, best known as the author of The Knack. During the past five years her ambition to create true community theatre has produced amazing results . HOWARD BARKER 'S play looks at the history of the town where in the 19th century the best hanging-rope was made and focuses on the dubious figure of Dr Roberts, inventor of the famous patent medicine known as ' The Poor Man's Friend'. Tonight Arena follows the making of the production, chronicling the scenes on and off the stage as the whole of Bridport becomes absorbed in telling a story from their past.