A ‘COMPELLING’ new play about internet trolls and mob mentally won much acclaim at its debut in London.

Playwright Matt Smith, who grew up in Goostrey, is now bringing his satire ‘Zombiegate’ back to his home village.

Written under the name of Matthew Gabrielli, the drama features a couple who take a selfie on Hallowe’en with disastrous consequences.

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It is a witty and empathetic play that gets behind the headlines and hashtags of internet trolls.

The work scrutinises mob mentality and myths around cancel culture, and asks people to empathise with those they find it hard to agree with.

Matt will be showing a film of his play at Goostrey Village Hall on Friday, February 17.

Matt said: “I now live in Birmingham but I think of Goostrey as home.

“The play was well received by the critics and I know many people in Goostrey and the surrounding area have expressed an interest in seeing it.

“One of the performances was filmed and so we will show the film.”

Zombiegate, enjoyed a three week run in London late last year and was a winner of Theatre Royal Haymarket’s Masterclass Pitch Your Play 2018.

Critics hailed it ‘incredibly relevant to our generation’ and ‘an entertaining, unique show.

Others described it as ‘a compelling new play, smart, gripping, cautionary and bang up-to-date’.

An Ameena Hamid Productions and Theatre503 co-production, the play is directed by Julian Bruton and produced by Ameena Hamid, with set and costume design by Delyth Evans.

The film, which lasts about 90 minutes, will begin at 7.30pm.

A bar will be open and after an interval, Matt will answer questions about his inspiration and how the play was staged for its debut.

Tickets priced £10 are available from Dave Smith at dave-smith55@hotmail.co.uk or call 01477 535191.