A FLEETWOOD karate expert has kicked off a new career as a playwright.

Paul Chadwick, a sixth dan in judo and karate, premiers his debut-play, Yin and Yang, at Thornton Lecture Hall (Victoria Road East) tomorrow and Saturday evenings (October 1 and 2) at 7.30pm.

Presented by professional company Entracte Entertainments, Yin and Yang is about a martial arts hero who uses his skills to get out of trouble and vanquish enemies.

"The show is best described as a thriller," said Paul, who has written a book and more than 100 magazine articles on martial arts.

"It takes the winning formula of, say, a Jean-Claude Van Damme film and transfers it to the stage. As martial arts is something I know a lot about it was natural I should choose this subject for the show - and as any writer will tell you, it's always best to write what you are passionate about."

The play is also a first for Fylde-based Entracte Entertainments, which is branching out from its usual field of cabaret evenings, murder nights and charity events into theatre presentation.

Company manager Denis Askham said they wanted to encourage good local writers: "There isn't any kind of forum for new writers in this area. A lot of good shows sit around on people's desks or in filing cabinets because the writers haven't got the resources or the outlet to get them seen.

"What we want to do is provide these and make it easier for these shows to get where they should be - on the stage."

The two-year-old company holds regular entertainment evenings at hotels and clubs all along the coast.

Anyone who has a play for consideration, or any actors who want to take part (Equity rates) should contact Entracte Entertainments at 42 Hawthorne Road, Blackpool, FY1 2DE, or phone (07957) 581311.

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