DISCERNING Cheltenham theatregoers willing to take a chance on new works will be extremely well rewarded this week.

Fi Benson's play about a teenager living with his mother and her gay partner is brilliantly written and cleverly conceived.

It mixes three elements in the life of writer Fran - her real life, her fantasy world and (rather like Potter's Singing Detective) the thriller she is writing.

The three actors, with director Paul Milton and designer Corin Hayes, have come up with a production that is pacy, witty and visually engaging.

Frances Churchill as Fran is a sympathetic and lovable character trying to mix the demands of her life, her dreams and her responsibilities; Kate Abraham is superb as her considerate partner Chris, and Rory McHenry makes a brilliant debut as 17-year-old Will, an understandable but misunderstood adolescent. The play runs until Saturday.

Review by STEVE EVANS