A DRAMA teacher is using theatre to explore delicate and important issues by launching his own company.

By day Keith Goldsbrough, 32, is a secondary school drama teacher in Colchester but behind the scenes has been planning for his dream.

The Electric Theatre Company, which launches in April, will nurture performers between 18 and 45 interested in contemporary and devised theatre.

It has been a long time coming considering Mr Goldsbrough has been involved in theatre for the past 15 years and previously worked abroad with Disney.

He ditched his original idea to focus solely on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in fear it would alienate people, and is now driven to turnaround Clacton's reputation with thought-provoking plays.

He said: "I have a lot of love for this town and it saddens me when I hear people talk about Clacton in such a negative way because there are lots of creative people here who want to capture what it was maybe 20 or 30 years ago.

"To have something in the town speaking for minorities or bringing up issues maybe politicians and other public speakers can't, I think is a great idea.

"This is my community so I think it'd be interesting to start the company here and see where it goes."

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

As well as actors, Electric Theatre will create opportunities for creatives who prefer technical roles as well as writers, directors and producers.

It will launch with a group of between ten and 30 people at Imperial House in Clacton, and the idea of devised theatre has been well received by other regional theatres.

He said: "For devised pieces you workshop ideas and improvise, then the company creates a script itself.

"It can relate to what people are passionate about globally or speak to the community where you live and in that case people are more likely to watch it.

"Comedy is high on the list because improvised comedy can be great, but drama is just a very good art form to be able to talk about delicate subjects, especially in a town like this."

The first meeting is on Monday, April 10 from 7.30pm until 9pm.

To get involved, email electrictheatrecompany@yahoo.com.