Homosexuality, drugs and homicidal record producers in Eastbourne? Surely not!

Well there are - at least at the Devonshire Park Theatre.

From the pen of Lock Stock star Nick Moran, Telstar is the remarkable yet overlooked story of rock 'n' roll pioneer Joe Meek, the world's first independent record producer.

The play offers a fascinating insight into Meek's life and his unconventional approach to music, which produced three of the Sixties' most iconic songs, including Johnny Remember Me and Telstar, the first UK Number One in America, all produced in his tiny flat on Holloway Road.

Telstar is a tremendous production, which hangs astutely on the shoulders of the Olivier Award-winning leading man, Con O'Neill (Blood Brothers), and his remarkable and commanding performance of the tormented genius.

Supported by Linda Robson as a straight-talking landlady, retaining the no-nonsense persona of her best-loved TV role in Birds Of A Feather, and Adam Rickitt (Coronation Street) who underplays the loathsome wannabe "Heinz" to great effect.

Paul Jepson's direction is superb and with the clever use of a cutaway set you can't help but feel immersed in Meek's world.

This gritty drama is destined for the West End. Finally, a new play which truly deserves an audience.