WHEREAS some writers might take inspiration from an anecdote or experience, new Worcester playwright Rose Marshall got hers from an A-level science text book.

This inspiration led her to win the Swan Playwrights Competition for her play The Pathless Land, alongside co-winner Rob Clarke, for his work Home Truths.

To celebrate the Jubilee, the playwrights were given the chasm-like remit of writing a play on an issue from the past 50 years.

The Pathless Land and Home Truths were chosen to have extracts performed and directed by professionals at the Swan Theatre.

"I got the idea for the play while reading a Collins A-level science text," Ms Marshall said.

"One case study was of a bank robber who had a cold and was caught by DNA from his own mucus. Another was about someone who was trying to prove a famous rock star was the father of their 15-year-old child.

"So I started thinking about how this would affect a family in Worcester.

"The play deals with DNA testing and the issue of paternity and parenthood and the issues of the role of being a parent."

"The situation is a family where an unexpected letter arrives and it brings secrets from the past to the fore," said Ms Marshall, from Lower Broadheath.

Extracts

Now, after days of rehearsals, the actors will take to the stage, script in hand, to perform extracts from the two plays.

After tonight's performance, at 7.45pm, the audience will be able to grill the cast, director and writers.

"It's quite a scary moment for a writer, especially someone new to the Swan Playwrights and scriptwriting," said Ms Marshall, who previous confined her writing to poetry.

"With poetry, you can write in privacy and it takes a while for any feedback to come to you. But with a play, the feedback from the audience is almost immediate.

"I like to sit at the back and see how the audience reacts but this time I'm going to have to go to the front and face their questions.

"You also get feedback from the actors and directors - it is a changeable and living thing.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have my work performed by professional actors and directed by a professional.

"Next I would like to write something without having a remit - something incorporating the style of poetry."

The Pathless Land is directed by Kim Greengrass and Mr Clarke's Home Truth will be directed by the Swan's artistic director Jenny Stephens.

Home Truth is also a play with a strong Worcester angle.

The play deals with the Italian prisoners of war who went on to settle in Wyld's Lane.

"The remit was to write a play addressing some issue of significance over the last 50 years," said Mr Clarke.

"I wrote about the situation of a fictional ex-Italian prisoner of war who settled in Wyld's Lane.

Relationship

"The play is set around the relationship between the Italian immigrant and a teenage girl. She helps him come to terms with what he has left behind.

"I spoke to a chap in Wyld's Lane who is a second generation Italian immigrant. We discussed the experience of coming over and his father's experiences. But it's not based on him. It is entirely fictional."

Mr Clarke, from Fernill Heath, is studying part time for a degree in creative writing and this is his first play to be staged.

"It has been good to get some feedback on the play and guidance from the writers," he added.

Tickets are £4, £3 concessions, from the box office on 01905 27322.

David Lewins.