WHEN Courtyard-based Theatre Company, 4Play, was rooting around for a new play to produce, it kept coming back to Ben Elton's 1996 book and stage success Popcorn.

It deals with responsibility, blame and the media's relationship with society, and was a hit at last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where Mina Nakamura, Leoni Linton and Sam Meehan - 4Play members - were working.

"We knew it would be ambitious, and weren't convinced at first that it was within our capabilities," Mina said. "But once we'd worked that out, we couldn't think of something we'd rather tackle. It's much more naturalistic than a lot of other plays, and just jumps out at you."

The company's previous shows - Equus, Bouncers, Of Mice and Men - have all been on a smaller scale. Popcorn has a cast of nine, encompasses live-feed visual technology and climaxes in a blood bath.

The choice is a reflection of where the company sits. In the wake of last year's successful London transfer of two one-act plays dealing with sibling relationships, Leoni and Mina extended their gap years and stayed put. Both are now students on Herefordshire College of Art and Design's new Performing Arts Foundation course.

"We realised we were both happy with what we were doing, and where we're at," said Mina. "There was no point in leaving."

Both are appearing in Popcorn, which will double as coursework.

Directing is former 4Play member Anthony 'Murf' Murphy (aka MC Mouthmaster Murf), who describes Popcorn as "the Kill Bill of plays".

"It's very accessible - definitely a play for people who hate plays!"

The action centres around film director Bruce Delamitri's house on Oscar night.

Serial killers Wayne Hudson and Scout decide to end their current killing spree on his doorstep, where they take him and his family hostage.

Immersed in televised crime terminology, the two know their stuff.

Determined to have Delamitri absolve them of their crimes, by admitting responsibility for inciting them via his stylish, violent movies, the two invite a TV crew in to film the siege - closing the loop between life and art.

"Every character blames other people for their actions," said Mina, who plays a Playboy star turned actress.

Inspired by Quentin Tarantino's Natural Born Killers, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, the book - and play - tackle the media's relationship with gun culture, asking questions like where does entertainment begin and reality end? And which feeds the other?

"The media's ability to desensitise is apparent during events like the attack on the Twin Towers - where the public was repeatedly exposed to bodies flinging themselves out of burning buildings," Murphy said.

"Its power to manipulate us is what Popcorn is about."

The argument over whether violent films incite copycat crime is well-voiced.

Writer Ben Elton's own view is that rational minds are free of risk, while simple minds are vulnerable - but even he admits to flaws in this basic principle.

"The artist has to take responsibility for their actions, but that must be a personal thing," he said.

Popcorn will run in the Courtyard's studio theatre, which will be transformed into Delamitri's mansion.

"The boundaries between what's real and what's not blur - as in the script," Murphy said.

It will star Steve Vaughan, most recently seen in Amadeus, as Delamitri and Sam Meehan as Wayne.

The play runs from January 26-29. Call to book on 0870 1122330.