DNA cast

A HARD-HITTING drama starring a former EastEnders actor can be seen at a Welwyn Garden City theatre later this week.

James Alexandrou, who played Martin Fowler in the BBC One soap, stars in DNA, which takes to the stage at the Hawthorne Theatre on Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25.

From the highly-acclaimed Hull Truck Theatre Company, a group of teenagers bully a young boy and the results are tragic.

They then conspire to cover it up, but that has unexpectedly terrifying but logical consequences.

It’s a compelling story that could have been ripped from this morning’s headlines.

Teenage bullying is hardly new but its effects, thanks to social media, are now more keenly felt than ever before.

DNA looks into the problem, showing an honest and unsettlingly raw glimpse at teenage group dynamics.

But the play goes further as well, examining how an event can change people and their relationships.

Following a twist that shows just how cruel children can be, what was once an accident is perceived as a planned and murderous crime.

So, how far would you go to hide the truth? Would you destroy someone’s life to save your own, and protect your friends? When does a lie matter more than the truth?

First performed at the National Theatre in 2007, Dennis Kelly’s startling contemporary play is fast becoming a classic with young audiences and has recently become a core text on the GCSE English syllabus, studied by up to 400,000 students each year.

Directed by the National Theatre’s Anthony Banks and featuring a cutting-edge design and soundtrack, plus an exciting cast of young actors, DNA is a hard-hitting yet witty look at group dynamics and the motives behind today’s headlines.

James, perhaps most famous for playing EastEnders’ Martin Fowler – who knocked up Sonia Jackson [Natalie Cassidy], then later knocked over and killed her fiancé Jamie Mitchell – plays Phil.

Of the play, James said: “When I read it I wanted immediately to read it again; that’s a good indicator.

“The play says something positive and the character itself was a challenge.”

Tickets cost £16.50 for adults and £13.50 concessions.

Performances are at 7.30pm.