IPSWICH theatre company Paper Lantern are back at the Headgate hoping to seduce us with their latest production.

That's a stage version of The Graduate, the film which catapulted Dustin Hoffman to fame and gave rise to one of Simon and Garfunkel's most popular hits.

Written by Terry Johnson it is based on the iconic 1967 movie, which itself was based on the book by Charles Webb.

Director Sally Scurrell says: "We try to approach everything we do in a modern way and think very carefully how we can connect the text with a modern audience.

"That's been very interesting with The Graduate, mainly because the film is so well known. The play is quite different to the film. For a start it highlights other characters in Benjamin's life that you don't see in the movie. That said I think people will recognise plenty in our show from the film."

Paper Lantern were formed out of a production of Streetcar Named Desire put on by Ipswich's Gallery Players.

Sally adds: "I was asked to direct that in October 2015 and it did so well a group of us decided to put it on again under our own company banner."

That's Sally, Rosie Beattie, who played Blanche in Streetcar and takes on the role of Mrs Robinson in The Graduate, as well as set designer Darren Beattie, and sound designer Duncan Broatch.

"One trademark trait of A Streetcar Named Desire," she continues, "was the company’s use of both music and strong set design and this will be richly explored in The Graduate. Duncan, who created the evocative soundscape for Streetcar, has tailored a contemporary Sixties soundtrack and Darren has designed an ambitious set, reflecting the slick interior design of the day.

"As a company, we are highly influenced by film and as such, have invested a lot of time in developing creative staging, exploring transitions in an imaginative way to give a rich underlying subtext as well as a tangible feel for the era."

Following a sold-out run in their home town of Ipswich, Paper Lantern are at the Headgate Theatre, Chapel Street North, Colchester, from Tuesday to Saturday, January 24 to 28, at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £12, £10 for concessions, available on 01206 366000 or on-line at www.headgatetheatre.co.uk

The company return to the theatre with A Streetcar Named Desire from March 29 to April 1.