The Queen has sent her best wishes to the cast and creatives behind a new play due to be given a staged reading at JW3 later this month.

The Ceremony, written by acclaimed author Eva Hoffman, is set in a ceremony in a small Polish town, where Jews were massacred during the Second World War.

The letter from Buckingham Palace came in response to a letter sent by the producers.

Signed by Christopher Sandamas, chief clerk at the palace, it read: “Your thoughtfulness in writing was appreciated and Her Majesty, in return, has asked me to send her best wishes to all concerned with the performance for a successful and enjoyable evening.”

The play-reading at JW3, on May 23, will be followed by a Q&A session with Ms Hoffman and director Braham Murray, founder and artistic director of The Royal Manchester Exchange.