YORK company Procter Goblins are looking to disturb the peace with their sophomore show, Scenes From A Teenage Killing, at four city-centre public houses in the week ahead.

"This new and dynamic immersive theatrical experience takes place at a birthday party – which might not be the right date – hosted by somebody calling herself Iris," says writer and director Ben Rosenfield. "She is desperate to entertain, believing herself to be a great, undiscovered talent, and as far as she’s concerned, people either adore her or are jealous.

"The title comes from something that's spoken about throughout the show; something that Iris has been dreaming about. During the piece she confronts some of those dark thoughts and feelings that come along with the things she’s trying to suppress: anxiety, paranoia and depression."

After an open dress rehearsal for students at York St John University, where Ben and lead actress Kirsty Wolff both studied theatre, Scenes From A Teenage Killing will be premiered at The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, on Monday. Further performances will follow at The Royal Oak, Goodramgate, on Tuesday and Wednesday; The Yorkshire Terrier, Stonegate, next Friday; and The Bay Horse, Marygate, next Saturday and Sunday.

"There are a couple of reasons for doing it this way," says Ben. "One was because it's a 'show in a bag', a big company bag, like our first show A Christmas Carol was, where we can set it up anywhere as it has very few props.The second was that because of the nature of the piece, it really is widely accessible and suited to different spaces.

"It's one of those shows where if you turn up one night and find it's full, you can go to the show on another night in a different venue, and we also don't have a specific charge for tickets. Instead we do a Pay What You Feel scheme with a bucket handed around at the end for donations."

Ben's play addresses mental health issues. "We've used first-hand conversations we've had with people who've experienced acute anxiety, depression and paranoia," he says. "I myself have been a mental health service user, and we've worked with people who've used the services, so that's helped to inform how the piece sounds."

The audience will be placed in the action as guests at the birthday party being thrown by Iris, although no-one is quite sure whether it really is her birthday or not. "There'll be games, sing-alongs, cheesy pop classics like Black Lace's Agadoo and The Birdie Song, and tired dance routines," says Kirsty.

Analysing Iris's character, at the heart of the party, she says "Iris very much has a stage persona and she's not modest in the slightest. She's sure of her talents and her ability to entertain audiences, as she believes she's the next big music hall star ...until she starts to question herself. As guests begin to antagonise her, she realises she's not as in touch with herself as she thought she was."

Despite the title, the Procter Goblins find a silver lining to the play's black cloud. "It's very important, when you're looking at mental health issues, not to suggest everything is always going to be bad," says Kirsty. "There is hope..."

*Please note, Scenes From A Teenage Killing contains strong language, mature themes and moments that some audience members may find disturbing. It is not recommended for anybody under 18.