A new production by an up-and-coming Lowestoft writer and director is to be dedicated to Tunisia terrorist attack victim Stuart Cullen when it takes to the stage in the town this week.

Eastern Daily Press: Writer and director Katie Smith.Writer and director Katie Smith. (Image: Archant)

Katie Smith's play Blitzed will be performed in memory of 54-year-old Mr Cullen – who died in the attack in Sousse in June – as he is a close family friend of the writer and will raise money for Meningitis Now, a charity close to his heart.

It is the first original production that the 23-year-old has masterminded.

She first wrote the play for her Drama Theatre and Performance Studies course at Roehampton University.

Two years later she presented it to the Seagull Theatre and Seagull Club as a possible project and they were happy to be associated with the original work.

Miss Smith had already performed at the Seagull Theatre a number of times as a member of the Seagull Rep, including a tour of Fawlty Towers.

The play itself follows the lives of three female friends beginning in 1967 and considers the ups and downs of life, leading up to the present day.

Miss Smith said: 'In my third year at University I came up with the play instead of writing a dissertation.

'It has just grown and grown and there are now 27 scenes in the production.

'I am so excited. The amazing cast are so talented and have given me a lot of help.

'It is so amazing to see a play that I have written come to life.

'It is non profit for me as I just want people to watch my play, I'm making no money from it, and I wanted to support writers and the local theatre.'

? To buy your tickets for the performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (August 6, 7 and 8) at 7.30pm, call the Seagull Theatre box office on 01502 589726. Tickets are £6/£5.