A FELIXSTOWE playwright is today preparing to release her latest show based on the life of Suffolk writer George Orwell.

A FELIXSTOWE playwright is today preparing to release her latest show based on the life of Suffolk writer George Orwell.

Rehearsals are underway for Becoming Orwell which charts the life of the author during his time in Southwold and Walberswick.

Playright Suzanne Hawkes, of Orwell Road, said: “Becoming Orwell focuses on Eric Blair - George Orwell's real name - while he struggled with his need to become a writer and his father's chosen career form him in the Burma Police.”

Swapping between the 1930s and the present day, the play includes the story of a young man on the run who is befriended by an artist, played by Suzanne.

She added: “The young man is on the run and determined to discover if his grandfather was George Orwell. He is searching for a time capsule left by Orwell in the sands at Walberswick.

“It was in Suffolk that George Orwell discovered a fascination for ghosts, fought the voices he believed were haunting him and germinated the ideas about class, religion, the role of the state and the poor that were to shape his writing.”

Suzanne, whose previous productions include Refugee Caf�, Breaking The Chain, Snow and Sweet Potatoes, said she has re-read a number of Orwell's books.

Produced by Black and White productions and presented in Southwold, Walberswick and Ipswich, the play is directed by Paul Pascall.

Paul said: “This is an intricate and fascinating story about one of Suffolk's best known authors. The piece also explores his relationship with vicar's daughter Belinda Salkeld.”

Paul is also playing the part of Orwell's father, with whom he had a difficult relationship, Richard Blair.

The cast includes members of Suffolk Youth Theatre, New Wolsey Youth Theatre and Eastern Angles New Angles Youth Group.

Are you a fan of George Orwell? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk