JOURNEY through the ups and downs of life in a new show taking centre stage this week.

Director Ria Parry returns to Salisbury Playhouse with Bike.

The play, written by Katherine Mitchell, charts a girl’s journey from childhood to adulthood.

“It is about how our experiences as a child impact on the adult we become. It is a beautiful bit of writing and a one woman show with Lucy Thackeray," explains Parry.

“We are with her through her whole life and see the ups and downs, the pain and conflicts she has, and the difficult relationships she has with family members.”

The play is presented as part of Salisbury Playhouse’s Original Drama programme. Writer Mitchell responded to the Playhouse’s call-out last year for emerging writers from the south west.

“Katherine’s writing has a lot of humour — you will be laughing for a few minutes then something suddenly makes you go silent and takes your breath away with the unexpectedness,” says Parry, who has previously directed On Golden Pond at the Playhouse. “The character uses humour as a coping mechanism – you are laughing and crying with her.”

All eyes will be on Lucy Thackeray as she commands the intimate surroundings of the Salberg in the one-woman show. Thackeray has already starred in Fallen Angels at the Playhouse.

Parry said: “With Lucy and Bike it is so much about the story and her telling of the story.”

She says she is delighted to be working in the “intimate” setting of the Salberg. “The proximity of the audience, you can’t get away from each other in a positive way. There’s a lot of direct address and telling the story to people in the room. The fact you will be able to see most of the people you are performing to gives a really immediate feel to it and there is kind of no escape. You have contact from the very beginning and go on this journey together, experience this together and you have to care.”

“There is something really refreshing about coming back to theatre in its purest sense — you and me in a room, telling a story," says Parry.

“I am excited people are going to hear and see Katherine’s play and I’m really excited about Lucy’s performance. I am excited for people to see what she can do.”

Next month Parry will be directing Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern.

Bike runs until October 17. For tickets call the box office on 01722 320333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com