Critics are often accused of being cowards. They’re criticised by musicians, writers and others for not having the courage to put their work on the front line – where it is open to the sort of scrutiny that others face.

The same cannot be said of Shropshire Star theatre critic Owen Lewis, who will take his controversial new play, Salesman By Day, to one of the county’s smallest venues for a two-night run.

The production will take place at Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, at Castle Gates, which will make for an intimate setting.

Mr Lewis said: “Drama must be accessible and I want the audience to hear the actors breathing. Intimate theatre can be so much more of a poignant experience for both the players and the audience.”

The play itself is highly controversial as it deals with the subjects of rape and incest. Mr Lewis said his intention was not to sensationalise the topics but to explore the very real results and ramifications that they have on the lives of ordinary people.

Mr Lewis has worked as a film maker and playwright in Essex in recent years but following three strokes and a diagnosis of coeliac disease he decided to return home to Shropshire to be among family and friends.

His first new play since the move will be performed at the new Shrewsbury Coffee Shop in July. The venue is only able to seat 70 people and Mr Lewis is hoping for a full house.

He said: “Years ago, while at university, I brought Harold Pinter’s Dumb Waiter, to the Boathouse pub, in Shrewsbury.

“I loved the way we were able to deconstruct conventions of theatre and put it back into the hands of an intimate audience.

Closeness

“People were allowed drinks during the acts and there was a great feeling of closeness and the demystification of the theatrical art.”

O. Lewis Productions is an extension to the work Owen did in Essex and will be the ninth play he has produced, directed and written.

He explained, the idea of the company is to give aspiring actors a helping hand up the ladder.

He said: “We fill the gap between a dream and the reality of a professional career. Actors will be able to apply for their equity cards from this professional performance, and learn, also, the ways of great practitioners such as Brecht and Stanislavski.”

The company is hoping to present two works a year and is recruiting actors all the time.

Mr Lewis said: “As I lay in hospital after my third stroke I realised that I still had work to do and wasn’t ready at 51 to call it a day.

“That gave me the strength and the motivation to continue bringing my work to audiences. I hope that I give them something worthwhile and relevant.” Salesman by Day is a double hander and runs on two nights: July 5 and 12 at Shrewsbury Coffee Shop, in Castle Gates. Tickets are available from the venue.