FOLLOWING the success of such productions as Living With Luke and Play Something, Colchester's Stage Write Productions are back with an Edinburgh smash hit.

It was during its run at Edinburgh, Stage Write's Paul T Davies saw Stef Smith's Swallow, a play about three women who are all about to face their demons.

There's Rebecca who is newly, and reluctantly single, Anna who hasn’t been out of her flat for two years, and Sam who knows she was born in the wrong body.

Paul, who is directing the play, says, “When I saw the play in Edinburgh, I knew I had to do it. A play about three women, one a separated woman, and another agoraphobic and the other transgender sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. But the play is funny and warm, and instead of descending into tragedy, the women, without knowing it, begin to bring about change and heal each other.

"It does tackle the serious issues, but I defy anyone who hasn’t seen the play to predict it, especially when Anna hears a tapping at her window.

"I also knew the three actresses I wanted, and I was so pleased that, after they read the script, it was a resounding yes from all three.”

That's Eleanor Kent Dyson, Jazz Ely and Charlotte Still, three of the best actors the Colchester theatre scene who have appeared in numerous productions in and around the town to huge critical acclaim.

Known for creating original work, this is the first time Stage Write will be putting on a play that has originally been seen outside of the region, premiering at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015.

Swallow runs in the Mercury Theatre's Studio space from Wednesday to Thursday, August 31 to September 1.

Tickets are available on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01206 573948.