TUESDAY sees the start of a six date run of Arthur Miller's classic play A View From The Bridge, put on by the renowned Southend Drama Society.

The production, directed by Kay Banning and Bill Peel, takes place in the Dixon studio of the Palace Theatre, in London Road.

It is a "powerful tale of obsession and betrayal, played out against the backdrop of a fiercely loyal and unforgiving community, made up of generations of Italian-Americans who work the docks of New York".

The story is set in 1950s Brooklyn, when Eddie Carbone, a proud but flawed dockworker (played by Bill Peel) makes desperate attempts to hold together his family.

Gemma Fiore, plays his wife Beatrice. Last year Gemma won a best actress award for her performance as Beverley in Abigail's Party. His niece Catherine is played by Sophie Docherty.

The arrival of two Italian cousins, Marco (played by Paul Jennings) and Rodolpho, (played by Simon Jones), both illegal immigrants seeking work to help their starving families back in Italy, disrupts this family unit and drives Eddie to desperately destructive measures to protect it... measures which prevent even the family lawyer, Alfieri (played by Charlie Mellor) from being able to save him.

You can see this American Classic played out in the intimate surroundings of the Dixon studio of the theatre in London Road, Westcliff, from Tuesday April 26 until Saturday April 30.

Show times are 8pm daily plus an extra matinee performance on Saturday April 30, at 3pm.

Ticket prices are £11 and £13, available from southendtheatres.org.uk or the box office on 01702 351135