Love and its destructive power is the theme of the latest play being performed at Norwich's Maddermarket Theatre.

Eastern Daily Press: The Deep Blue Sea at Norwich's Maddermarket Theatre.The Deep Blue Sea at Norwich's Maddermarket Theatre. (Image: submitted)

Called The Deep Blue Sea, the play by Terence Rattigan opened at the city theatre on Thursday and runs until next Saturday.

Set in post-war London, the show focuses on a woman called Hester who abandons the security and respectability of her marriage to high court judge Sir William Collyer for a passionate affair with a reckless younger man, Freddie Page, who is a former RAF pilot and a Second World War hero.

But Freddie is unable to give Hester the emotional commitment she craves and so over the course of a day Hester contemplates, love, lust, loneliness and life.

Pip Sessions, the play's director, said: 'Although it is a period piece and in many ways deeply rooted in the time in which it is set, its themes are universal; it is essentially about the complexity of the human heart which certainly has resonance today.'

About the character of Hester, who is played by actress Kiera Long, Pip said: 'It is a wonderful role but incredibly demanding as the character is required to emotionally bare all.

'I am delighted to be working with such a talented and dedicated cast on this production.'

William Collyer is played by Christopher Whitley while Freddie Page is played by Tom Girvin.

Also in The Deep Blue Sea cast are actors Matthew Pinkerton, Etta Geras, Joel Pudwell, Moira Hickson and Tom Davies.

The set design is by James and Alison Utting and the costume designs are by Suzanne Bell.

The Deep Blue Sea was first performed in London in 1952, and in 2011 the play was turned into a film directed by Terence Davies and starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston.

The Deep Blue Sea is at the Maddermarket Theatre, in Norwich, until Saturday, October 3. Tickets £8-£12. For more information and to book tickets call the box office on 01603 620917 or visit www.maddermarket.co.uk

Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk