AND All The Children Cried is the first play by social worker Judith Jones and journalist Beatrix Campbell, and its theme is sex and violence and child murder with the case study of Moors Murderer Myra Hindley at its core.

Annie Castledine directs this new investigative drama in its premiere, which opens tonight at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds.

Jones and Campbell bring together more than 25 years of researching and managing the impact of sex and violence on both victims and perpetrators. Their play explores these themes by focusing on the stories of two women, Myra and Gail, in prison for crimes of killing children, and looks at what people do with their power and their pain.

The character of Myra is based on the case of Myra Hindley, while Gail is drawn from many cases researched by the authors. However, the action of the play and the feelings of both the characters are entirely fictional.

And All The Children Cried deals with one of society's most difficult subjects and contains language and descriptions that some people will find distressing. To address the impact this production is likely to have on audiences, the Playhouse is providing open forums following each performance, where feelings can be voiced and themes discussed.

Nine Speaker Discussions will feature a panel made up of the play's authors as well as experts on the prison service, women in prison, psychotherapy and child welfare. Ten Round Table Discussions will provide an opportunity to discuss issues and questions raised by the performance with other audience members and a member of the production's creative team.

Experts confirmed to take part in the Speaker Discussions include Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, and John Woods, principal child and adolescent psychotherapist at Portman Clinic.

Meanwhile, Castledine's cast comprises Sharon Maughan, best known for her Nescafe adverts, and Gillian Wright, complemented by filmed sequences featuring Gail McIntyre, Sue McCormick and Rob Pickavance.

And All The Children Cried runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, from tonight until May 11. Please note: not suitable for under 15 year olds. Tickets: £8.50 to £18.50, concessions £6 to £15; £3 tickets available up to one week in advance for those aged 26 or under; ring 0113 213 7700.

Updated: 08:50 Friday, April 19, 2002