THE debut play by Colchester's newest theatre company is taking place at Essex University next week.

Trailblazer, written by Colchester writer Liz Fisher-Frank, tells the story of two young people from very different sides of the tracks trying to get along with their problems and each other in a hospital ward.

It will be the 'proper' premiere production from the Twas Theatre Company following a number of workshops and a pantomime held at the end of last year.

Twas Theatre was set up exactly a year ago and a half ago by Matt Jewson and Jenna Saiz to create work to be performed by young people in and out of schools.

Now in their mid-20s, both started their acting careers in their hometown, performing and putting on shows with the likes of the Mad Hatter ensemble, the Colchester Operatic Society’s junior edition CO2 and at their own school, Philip Morant.

After graduating from the Colchester Institute, Matt continued with his love of acting at the East 15 School in London, while Jenna went to the Guildford School of Acting where she studied musical theatre.

Now they're back, and starting to produce their own work, the first of which takes to the stage at the Lakeside Theatre Studio at Essex University, next week.

Matt, who is directing the piece, says: "It was developed from a short story by Liz and has a lot of strong themes like mental health issues and human rights, which, when we take the play into schools, will be excellent discussion points.

"It's also about an unlikely friendship between two very different people, one who has everything and another who has had a tough up-bringing."

Featuring Colchester actor Chris Smith and Ellie Uragallo, who is from Great Dunmow, Trailblazer runs at the Lakeside from May 4 to 6.

Tickets, priced £5, are available from the box office on 01206 873261.