A YORK student theatre troupe will stage the premiere of Tess Humphrey’s black comedy Winter Of Our Discotheque at Friargate Theatre, York, tomorrow and Saturday night.

Written and directed by Humphrey and co-directed by Daisy Hale, the play follows the troubled path of schoolboy Laurie Waugh, who arrives at disreputable public school The Hastings after his expulsion from Eton College under mysterious circumstances.

Laurie, played by James Dixon, is ready for a fresh start, but when he is greeted by a drug-addled roommate, Alex, and a cold and conniving head girl, Mama, he quickly realises he is destined for a long year ahead.

“But if you think you know the story, think again,” says Tess, whose cast also features Rhys Hayes as Alex, Lauren Reed as Mama and Alex Gordon as a mysterious fourth character, Nicolas.

“The play is acted by students and produced entirely by students from the University of York,” says producer Laura Stratford. “We don’t even have support from any university societies, so this independent production is a rare occasion.”

Tickets for the 7.30pm performances cost £8, concessions £6, on 01904 613000 or on the door from 7pm.