One of the highlights of Brighton Fringe 2015 is The State Vs John Hayes, a striking one-act play about the death penalty, a psychological thriller laced with dark humour.

Huntsville prison, Texas, 1959; Elyese Dukie is on Death Row for murdering her husband and her lover.

Tomorrow she goes to court for the last time. But tonight Elyese reveals the one thing she won't tell the court or the string of psychiatrists sent to diagnose her: that she is not alone in her cell...

John Hayes is in there with her.psychopath or seductress? Murderer or manipulator? Psychiatric hospital or the electric chair? What does she deserve?

Writer and actor Lucy Roslyn wrote the play after extensive research into real-life female killers:

"I wrote my first play because it was the kind of show that I personally would love to see. So I am writing for myself as an audience member. "A good friend told me, quite rightly "you can't be everything for everyone, or you'll be nothing for no one". "So when I write, I remember this and am inspired to carry on."

Directed by Richard Warren, The State Vs John Hayes, is said to be a production of compassion and subtlety, so that it is only towards the end that the audience truly realise what is happening.

Lucy's follow-up play, is the first of a series set in the darkly comic Boondog Circus in 1930's America.

She plays alto saxophone, often guesting with Jonny & The Baptists, and is also an illustrator.

State Vs John Hayes at The Otherplace at the Basement, Brighton, on May 1st, 3rd 4th at 19.30 & May 7th at 20.30. Seehttp://boxoffice.brightonfringe.org/theatre/9494/the-state-vs-john-hayes for details.