A NEW play from local writer and producer Nick Bamford is guaranteed to drag Courtyard audiences into the 21st century.

Queer Counsel has been in the writing process on and off for the past decade - 'conceived long before the current row in the Anglican Church', said Nick.

It is a piece that took its initial inspiration from a news story in the early 90s and began life as a screen short.

A fundamentalist Christian father wrangles with the issues involved in the discovery of his 16-year-old son's sexual orientation.

Torn between an older, promiscuous lover and his father's unequivocal viewpoint, the fall-out proves fatal.

Shattered lives lead to nothing more than self-prophesised misery. No lessons learnt.

Rewritten for the stage with Arts Council funding, Nick views it as a 'bold step' for Courtyard chief executive Martyn Green to incorporate the piece in his new season programme.

"The debate of sexuality within the context of religion is ongoing," Nick said. "What I aim to explore is the human cost of that debate, and the fate of one lad who gets caught in the crossfire.

"It's an interesting co-incidence that it's finally receiving its national premiere in the week prior to Easter."

Queer Counsel begins its tour at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre on April 6-8 before transferring to London and Bristol.

Produced by F.O.D. Productions, established by Nick in 1992, and known in the area for tours of classic productions in historic venues, the play is directed by Rob Swinton, from West Malvern.