A POWERFUL play that packed punch proved that fact can be stranger than fiction and lit up Ross-on-Wye's Phoenix Theatre last week.

The premiere of Peter Terson's newest work, The Humanitarians, played to full houses in the intimate theatre space that lapped up the humour in the seriousness of the message.

Based on the real-life story of Ross resident Dr Dick Parker, The Humanitarians is one of four new works that the town's most prolific playwright has in progress, and all are based on true-life stories.

"There are so many people with an interesting story to tell," Peter said.

In his 70s, he has over 50 works to his name, the most famous of which, Zigger Zagger, was performed by the National Youth Theatre in the 1970s.

Writing as well as he ever has done, he was as excited about last week's reception for the play - in which a journalist trails a humanitarian convoy to Croatia, and ends up encouraging the charity workers to revolt - as he ever has been in his career.

Directed by Dave Baldwin, the tightly-acted two-act play kept its pace, the one set scene (the front cab of a lorry) notwithstanding.

A lesser team of actors may have felt the pressure of delivering Terson's articulate diction, but The Phoenix Players acquitted themselves ably.

And through it all, the reality of humanitarian missions and the power of the press ran like riddles through rock.

The reporter in it for himself: the volunteers in it for feeling something in their immaterial lives.

The character of the nurse, Knan, who fornicates for money and privileges, the most enigmatic of them all.