Ilkley is well regarded as punching well above its weight when it comes to its arts and culture, something that the internationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival has played a big part in over its 40-odd year history.

One young Ilkley man currently carving his way in the world of play-writing is Ash Caton. Last year he wrote, directed and produced Coffin Lock at Ilkley Playhouse, which sold out its three-night run.

Now Ash, 22, is preparing for his latest production to hit the stage. The comedy Three Stars for a Suicide will be performed in the Wildman Studio from April 10-12.

Ash started developing the idea for the play while in Cornwall last summer. He was there with a group of Playhouse members who were performing Wuthering Heights at the famous Minack Theatre, which is built into a cliff a few miles from Land’s End.

The cast of Three Stars for a Suicide consists of eight characters: War (played by Robson Stroud), Art (Andy Price), Science (Ella Balaam), Sex (Sophie Green), Soul (Nikki Mason), Ego (Peter Lindsay), Work (Pat Hebbert) and Filler (Roza Hesmondhalgh).

“Each member of the cast plays a general theme, which sees them play several characters throughout history related to that theme,” explained Ash.

“The central character is Art, who the other characters pick on for the reason art is at his worst point in history. So Art goes on a quest to save himself and meets the final character, Ego, with whom he has to grapple.”

Seven of the characters play real and important figures in history, whereas Filler acts as the comic relief that brings the cast together.

Ash, who has always lived in Ilkley and been involved in the Playhouse as actor since the age of about ten, says he was determined to get into writing and performing from an early age.

“I have always wanted to be a writer, it’s something I find very rewarding,” he said. “The Playhouse staff have been incredibly supportive, having been part of it since such an early age it feels like a second home.”

While studying his GCSEs at Bradford Grammar School he started performing as a stand-up comedian at venues across West Yorkshire.

After finishing his A-levels at Ilkley Grammar School he wrote and directed what he describes as a “mockumentary” of a stand-up comedian (played by himself), that was screened at the Playhouse as part of the 2011 Ilkley Literature Festival. This was the catalyst that saw Ash moved away from stand-up and more in the direction of writing plays.

“After the film I couldn’t decide whether to stay focused on stand-up or film, but then I had the idea for Coffin Lock and put that together in 2012,” says Ash, who has also recently put on two short plays at venues in London and Birmingham.

“In the short term I aim to take Three Stars for a Suicide down to a venue in London, which is also a great opportunity to learn more” said Ash. “In the longer term I want to be able to become a full-time playwright.”

And with his ambition, drive and single vision it sounds like this is infinitely possible – he’s already finished two scripts too!

To book tickets for Three Stars for a Suicide, call (01943) 609539 from 9.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, or visit ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk.