A New Forest writer will present her one-man show exploring male mental health at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.

But local audiences will get to see two previews of the show at the Plaza Romsey on Saturday July 28 at 3pm and 6pm.

Called Glasgow 14 the work examines the ‘unseen’ illness of male mental health through the eyes of four different male characters, coping day to day, when an unexpected trauma sets the picture unravelling.

Writer Sally Lewis, from Brockenhurst, who scored a hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 with How is Uncle John?, returns with an equally sensitive take on an overlooked subject, inspired by real life stories. Directed by Fringe veteran and award-winning theatre director and playwright Benet Catty, the play follows the lives of four men suffering from mental health issues and coping in their own ways. All four characters are played by master of the monologue, actor Neil Gwynne.

Glasgow ’14 casts light on the ‘unseen’ illness of male mental health, sufferers of which mostly continue to lead outwardly normal lives. It deals in particular with the ‘masculine’ habit of not talking about things, which has led to male mental health being ignored, with significant consequences. Whereas three out of four suicides (76%) are by men, and suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35 (ONS), men have measurably lower access to the social support of friends, relatives and community.

"Despite the serious subject matter, the story is a hopeful one," said Neil Gwynne.

"Sally’s nuanced script draws some unexpected humour and pays tribute to the resilience of the people of Glasgow in the face of a traumatic incident."

Neil Gwynne has played the title role in Scaramouche Jones by Justin Butcher (Matthew Ellison, UK tour). Among others, director Benet Catty has directed six productions at the Edinburgh Festival, of which three won London Fringe transfers and four featured on multiple Critics Choice lists.

Best-selling author and playwright Sally Lewis made her Fringe debut in 2016 with the critically acclaimed How is Uncle John?, a powerful story that calls attention to the adult victims of modern day slavery.

Inspired by the traumatic events that took place in Glasgow during Christmas 2014, this one man show explores the 'unseen' illness of male mental health through the eyes of four different male characters (all of them eye witnesses to the event), as they cope with the after effects.

The characters - all played by the RAODS Chair Neil Gwynne, are: Robbie - an English vicar who lives in Glasgow; . Archie - a Glaswegian who works in the building trade; Beano - a homeless man, and ex-soldier, and Val - a Polish immigrant and plumber by trade who now runs a hot dog stall.

For more information, see www.nagsheadproductions.co.uk