A NEW foot and mouth drama is to strike East Yorkshire.

However, this time it is only a play, New Life, written by Leeds playwright Maureen Lawrence in close consultation with representatives of Yorkshire's farming and tourist industries.

Lawrence's farmer drama reflects on how last year's foot and mouth epidemic affected the lives of four people - a farmer and his daughter, a pub landlord and a DEFRA case worker.

The events of 2001 provide the background, but New Life is a story of relationships as well as issues, looking at how people are shaped by forces beyond their control.

East Yorkshire Rural Stress Initiative has invited Blaize Theatre Company, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, to present the play this month and next.

Initiative co-ordinator Cally Barker says: "Many of those interviewed by Maureen about their lives wanted to see truth and hope in her play. It's a tricky recipe to follow in the light of recent events, so there are more questions than answers in New Life but there is laughter as well as tears. In the end, however, it is the will to survive and to succeed in creating a new life that wins the day."

Rehearsals are being held in Beverley leading up to six East Yorkshire performances: Thursday October 3, Bishop Burton College, Bishop Burton (tickets, National Farmers' Union, Beverley, (01482) 881277 or in person from the college finance office); October 10, Bell Hotel, Driffield (tickets, NFU Driffield, (01377) 253208 or Cally Barker (01482) 862974); October 11, Patrington Village Hall, Patrington (tickets, NFU Hedon, (01482) 890410 or Ann Smith, (01964) 630026); October 12, Wilberfoss Community Centre (tickets, NFU Pocklington, (01759) 302152, or Cally Barker, (01482) 862974); October 15, Shire Hall, Market Place, Howden (tickets, NFU Howden, (01430) 430500 or Brian Thornton, (01430) 432510); November 12, Holme-on-Spalding Moor Village Hall (tickets NFU Pocklington, (01759) 302152 or Lesley White, (01430) 860447).

Tickets cost £3 and are available in advance on the above telephone numbers or on the door. Profits from ticket sales will go to two farming charities, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the Addington Fund.

The East Yorkshire Rural Stress Initiative is funded by Health Action Zone and managed by Hull and East Riding Community Health Trust. Its aim is to alleviate stress in East Yorkshire's farming community by raising awareness of the condition and promoting sources of help. For more information, contact co-ordinator Cally Barker on (01482) 862974.

Updated: 08:27 Thursday, October 03, 2002