The Write On Festival returns for a fourth year with another programme of locally written and produced new plays from emerging local playwrights

From Wednesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 12, seven plays will be performed in the Studio Theatre.

On Wednesday, July 9, Alison Leigh’s play Returning will open the festival. Alison's play looks at what happens when a family member leaves without a word, and returns years later with no explanation. Completing Wednesday's double bill is Karen Curry's The Reason I’m Here, which follows the mental, emotional and physical journey of mad forensic scientist, Max.

"Max," says Karen, "is a forensic pathologist waging a one-woman-war against the box tickers."

The funny, principled and passionate Max will be brought to the stage, 'script-in-hand' by 4Play Theatre member Vey Straker, a return to performing after time out with her two daughters. "She's definitely the best reason for checking it out," says Karen. "I asked her to read it to see if it made sense and could it be acted? The character took a while to emerge and it had to stack up into a credible character, even if she is off the wall."

"She's quite a complicated character," says Vey, "and the plot is quite layered as well. I think Karen has done a really nice job. Max is a fun character to play - emotionally she's all over the place, and there's a whodunnit going on underneath."

Another double bill on Thursday presents Gillian Parsons’ Home Sweet Home, a play that makes comment on the impact of the introduction of the bedroom tax and Penelope Simcock’s The Mammoth Trap, a short play in 10 scenes with adult content, looking at what happens when adults fail to recognise and respond to child abuse.

Friday sees a write on debut from Ian Smith, whose play Soliciting Change looks at a paranormal investigator who gets more than he bargained for with a tip off! Following him is Tony Hobbs’ The Good Ones Go First, a play that flits between Reg’s dugout in the First World War and his home in Edmonton.

Bringing the new writing festival to a close will be Anthony Jenkins’ The Rossville Barricade, a play set in County Derry, Northern Ireland in 1972 when the country is in a lifelong battle against religious disputes and British tyranny.

Write On Festival will be at The Courtyard from Wednesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 12, with shows starting at 7.15pm. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk