A PLAY that highlights the issue of depression is set to have its premiere in Oswestry – before making its way to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Black Dog will be staged at the Attfield Theatre on July 11 before it heads to Edinburgh in August.

Author and director Shaun Higgins said: "This is a really exciting project to be involved with, bringing to the stage a theme which is close to our hearts. "Having personally suffered from depression for some time, I feel that it’s important to connect both with those who have experienced something similar, and those who haven’t – if we can shed a little light on a dark subject, then we might just be helping someone who would otherwise be suffering alone."

Shaun will also perform with Francesca Williams and Liza Ashby, with Katie Bird providing the technical support, and production from Spike Rose Productions. ​

The story reveals Tommy the Nobody, who is reeling in confusion and haunted by the memory of a mysterious dancer, it is up to the formidable Tanya to convince Tommy to try again. ​

Fusing theatre, belly dance and music, Black Dog tells of hope in the face of despair, and the importance of second chances.

The team are members of the Attfield Theatre, Llanymynech Amateur Dramatics Society (the LADS) and several other creative groups.

Shaun adde that there is more to Black Dog than audiences might think.

"It’s a common misconception that people classed as ‘depressed’ are miserable all of the time, " he said. On the contrary, many who suffer with mental health illness will agree that they can feel love, hope, joy etc. just as strongly as anyone else, it’s just that sometimes their minds take unpredictable swings into darkness too,"

Once the basic production costs have been covered through fundraising and ticket sales, every penny of profit will be donated to mental health charities.

To support the cause, email Shaun at blackdogproject@hotmail.com

The July 11 performance at the Attfield will start at 7.45pm, followed by an informal question and answer session with the cast and crew. Tickets £5 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/attfield, by emailing attfieldboxoffice@gmail.com or from 07544 11 35 11.