COLCHESTER'S latest professional theatre company is about to perform its debut production.

Protocol Theatre (which stands for professionals together in Colchester) was set up earlier this year by Richard Conrad, Joseph Lyndon and Alice Murray with the idea of plundering the wealth of local artistic talent that now resides in and around the area.

Richard is perhaps best known locally for his appearances with the likes of Mad Hatter and CO2.

He says: "When I came back from drama school about a year ago I took a look around to see what was happening on the local scene and discovered the Essex Theatre Arts Network.

"It was incredible, about 400 to 500 people all wanting to do the same kind of thing I wanted to do, and I thought someone should be using all this talent."

After applying, and getting accepted on to the Mercury Theatre's Early Career Training Programme, Richard met up with director Joseph, originally from Witham and Coggeshall, and movement director Alice, both of whom were graduates from Essex University.

Joseph adds: "It just seemed like the most natural thing to do, having undergone all this training at university and now at the Mercury, to start putting on our own work."

And what a piece of work to start off their adventure in Arthur Miller's A View From A Bridge, the story of Eddie Carbone, one of the most complex and dynamic characters in 20th century theatre, a longshoreman hardened by Fifties New York life who must confront an inner struggle when family from Italy come over to seek a better existence.

"Well for a start it's my favourite play," Richard smiles, "but I also think it's very relevant today dealing with such subjects as national identity and immigration. It's also a great story and offers up the chance for some superb acting."

Which of course means having a good cast so they definitely struck gold when West Begholt actor and Mercury favourite Tim Freeman agreed to be in it.

"What a godsend to have someone like Tim," Richard adds. "He used to teach me drama at school and I've seen him in so many brilliant shows at the Mercury so it's wonderful to have him in our very first production.

"But actually the entire cast is amazing. We are so lucky to have these bunch of people but when we set up Protocol, we knew they were there."

With plans for more shows later on in the year, and a collaboration with Colchester's very own theatre in education company, TWAS, hopefully this will just be the start of a very successful on-going run.

A View From A Bridge is at St Martin's Church, West Stockwell Street, Colchester, from May 24 to 27 at 7.30pm each night with an extra 2.30pm show on the Saturday.

?Tickets are £12 for adults and £10 for students, available on-line at www.protocoltheatre.co.uk