A NEW professional producing theatre company which aims to promote and showcase the work of up-and-coming young talent in the area launches its first production at Lighthouse in Poole tonight (September 15).

Called Ironic Comment, the company is the brainchild of actresses and drama teachers Jo Michaels, Rachel Barratt, Julie Harrison and Janey Seymour.

The four women met through work on the performing arts courses at Bournemouth and Poole College's Jellico Theatre.

Ironic Comment's opening play, Eight Foot Leap, was penned by local writer Andrew Muir and will be staged in the Lighthouse Studio until Friday.

Muir, an old college friend of Jo Michaels, has already received wide critical acclaim in London for winning the prestigious Peter Brook award.

He is currently working on projects in association with the National Theatre.

Eight Foot Leap, which explores a strange family reunion, is perfect for the new company's self-imposed brief to promote new writing as well as performing talent.

Jo feels the project will provide a much-needed service for the artistic community in Dorset.

"There's lots of Arts Council funding available in this area because no one is taking it up and there are no professional companies - the nearest is Forest Forge, which is in Hampshire.

"We are teaching actors who have to either go elsewhere to work or join a London agent. For someone like me who gave up touring as an actor to look after a young family, it's tough and it's tough for others too."

Jo added: "There's loads of amazing talent around and we want to promote it."

Ironic Comment also plans to work in schools taking theatre to schoolchildren while working with the national curriculum.

Eight Foot Leap by Andrew Muir is being presented at The Studio at Lighthouse, Poole's centre for the arts, from September 15 until September 17.