An absorbing new play on the theme of domestic abuse is coming to The Berry Theatre, Hedge End, on Friday March 9 and The Stage Door on March 21 and 22.

Fresh Start, in collaboration with the YOU Trust, is all about Alice, an older woman whose hopes of escaping her rundown home and her abusive husband are closely linked.

She’s got the support of a young man from a property company, and her ever-present neighbour Beryl.

But are they all they seem, or is Alice about to jump out of the old frying pan and into a brand new fire?

The play is directed by Kevin Wilson (and written by him under his pen name Heaton Wilson) for Origins Theatre.

He said: “It’s a very difficult and emotional subject, but this play approaches it sensitively and with some touches of humour, too.

“Audiences will be engaged from the start, and wondering what is going to happen right up to the end.

“Fresh Start explores themes that affect a lot of people, many of whom find it difficult to talk about, even to people they know.

“We are proud to be collaborating with ‘The YOU Trust’, who are working so hard to tackle this issue in Hampshire and Dorset.”

The YOU Trust are delighted to be supported by Origins Theatre with their play, they said: “Domestic abuse continues to remain vastly hidden within the community and we as a charity are passionate to raise awareness of this crime in many different ways.

“The play will allow the audience to see the different dynamics in which Domestic Abuse can take hold of someone’s life.

“We hope it will help people understand the complexities of domestic violence and abuse and bring the community together to help those affected by it.”

For more information please visit: www.originstheatre.uk.