Protocol Theatre make a welcome return to the Headgate Theatre next week.

The professional theatre company which prides itself on producing high quality work using professional creatives based in the area, are staging Philip Ridley's dark comedy with a social conscience, Radiant Vermin.

When a young couple are offered an ideal house by a mysterious stranger, it prompts the question, how far would any of us go to get our dream home?

Featuring local actors Richard Conrad and Megan Sharman as the couple trying to find their way on the property ladder, it’s being directed by Forest Morgan, ably assisted by Olly Harrington.

Forest says: "I've only recently come back to the town but I've been aware of the work Protocol has been putting on and so when they asked me to direct a show, I jumped at the chance.

"I'd not heard of Philip Ridley or the play but when I read it, I realised it was a great piece that Olly and I could do a lot with."

Olly adds: "We're interested in doing plays for a reason and it seemed to us, with its themes of property gentrification, and Colchester being the fastest growing borough in the country, this play would resonate with a lot of people here."

As the play deals with such issues as homelessness, the company are also working with local charity Emmaus.

"I think we all want to be socially responsible these days," Forest says, "and with one of the characters being a homeless person, it made sense for us to hook up with Emmaus and promote all the incredible things they do for the homeless in our town."

Radiant Vermin runs at the Headgate Theatre, Chapel Street North, Colchester, from Monday, October 14, to Saturday, October 19, at 7.45pm with a 2pm show on the Saturday.

For tickets, priced £14, and £12 for concessions, call the box office on 01206 366000.