AN OTLEY writer is putting the finishing touches to the first performances of his new play - in India.

Neil Rathmell’s Unborn - or Sand In Her Mouth will receive its premiere at Punjabi University, Patiala, on Wednesday, February 20.

He has been working with English literature students at the university on the production since mid-January.

The students were previously involved in the play’s development, too, acting as advisers as the playwright created a tale about the place of girls and women in Indian society.

Mr Rathmell said: “All the characters, male and female, are played by women just to underline the message of the play that women are the equal of men in every way.”

Fifty students are involved in the production, 27 of them as actors with the others filling a variety of backstage roles. None has had any previous theatrical experience but Mr Rathmell says they have made up for that with enthusiasm.

When he returns to England the writer will present a radio adaptation - featuring actors from Leeds Arts Centre and links to recorded interviews with some of the Indian students - of the play on Chapel FM on Thursday, March 21.