THERE was always going to be a lot of head scratching before a relevant play was chosen for IT company Cravenplan Computers to sponsor at Salisbury Playhouse.

After all, there aren’t that many plays with a plot about search engine optimisation, websites or Google.

But, says Cravenplan boss Chris Stanbury, after putting his head together with the people at Salisbury Playhouse, a solution has been found - The Seven Year Itch, which is being staged at the theatre from March 15 to April 7.

Mr Stanbury, whose firm is in Swallowcliffe, explains: “The link is seven years and the amazing things which have happened with the web in that time.

“And Facebook is seven years old.”

Cravenplan was the winner last September of Salisbury Playhouse’s third Show Business draw.

Show Business offers 28 firms the chance to win a main show sponsorship package worth £7,000 for £250.

The aim is to help local businesses raise their profile and funds for the Playhouse at the same time.

The winning firm has its logo in 40,000 brochures and 10,000 leaflets, gets a full-page advert in the show’s programme and complimentary tickets for the sponsored show.

Runners-up get their name in the brochure and programme of the sponsored show.

Mr Stanbury said: “I am a great believer in theatre and I have enjoyed coming to plays here.

“I joined the Show Business scheme because it was good value for money and there’s a good chance of winning.

“We are going to give a pair of tickets to customers who have been with us for more than seven years.”

Playhouse development director Kirstie Mathieson said another aspect of the partnership with Cravenplan was that the theatre would be hosting some of the firm’s free seminars, on eBayanddigitalphotography.

“We will be bringing people into the building for a different reason and at a different time,” she said.

“They can learn new skills in a particular area of interest from someone who knows what he is talking about.”

One of the seminars, on eBay, takes place in two sessions on February 20 and the other, on digital photography, is on March 8, also in two sessions.

Mr Stanbury added that the partnership would bring his company “a new audience”.

* The fourth Show Business scheme is underway with six companies already signed up.

For more information on Show Business, contact Ms Mathieson on 01722 320333.

To book a place at the seminars, freephone Cravenplan on 0800 135 7131.