IT'S the new theatrical genre that's taking the capital by storm.

Now gig theatre is being introduced to the town courtesy of a group of students from Colchester Institute.

For all those not in the know, Gig Theatre is using either live music, performance poetry, or stand-up to tell a story.

Tom Campe, one of the 2nd year acting and creative performance students taking part in the show, says: "It can use any of those performance elements in a gig setting and it's been very successful elsewhere in attracting new people to theatre, especially those who like going to see live music."

Entitled Too Far, their show sees a groups of friends reunite after five long years apart for a party that will push them to the limit.

Bethany Parker adds: "It explores the compulsive desire we have to fit in and the irrational lengths we go to. Using live music, comedy and audience interaction, we'll question the loyalty and logic of old friends."

The students got the idea after going along to the National Student Drama Festival in Hull earlier this year.

Megan Vickers says: "It's very popular on the London Fringe circuit and there's already been some big productions merging live music and storytelling but we all just loved how different and exciting it is. When we saw it all of us just said 'we want to do that'."

Too Far is at The Curve Bar, East Hill, on June 14 at 8pm. Tickets are £5 available on-line at www.ticketor.com/youngjunkco or on the doors, which open at 7.30pm.