BRYONY Kimmings is not afraid to take on subjects other writers and performers may avoid.

To date, the actress and innovator has looked at sexual health in such ground breaking plays as Sex Idiot; her boyfriend’s depression in Fake It ‘Til You Make It and her search for positive role models for her teenage niece in the curiously titled Credible Likeable, Superstar, Rolemodel.

Her latest production - written with Brian Lobel and her director Kirsty Housley – is at the Playhouse until Saturday and aims to go where no other productions have dared go before.

She has collaborated with the acclaimed Complicite Associates and National Theatre to look at another taboo theme – this time cancer.

A Pacifist's Guide to the War on Cancer is the result and has been four years in the making. It has certainly stirred the critics and audiences, too.

Now on a UK tour, it is an emotionally-charged show lasting one hour 40 minutes without an interval and covers a lot of ground with music from Tom Parkinson, some never-heard-before sound effects and a stunning scene change on stage.

It is a work that also welcomes heart-felt audience participation at the end of the evening.

Bryony takes to the stage as narrator and is joined by five fellow performers who are also musicians and singers.

Together they are determined to make the audience talk, reflect and think about the illness in a whole new way.

Controversial and confrontational are two words that come to mind.

But Bryony has so much more up her sleeve in what she calls 'the biggest labour of love in her theatre career.'

She says: "‘When you tackle something as big as cancer the chances are it will change you in some way.

"I can safely say this show has changed me."

It is Bryony's hope that this latest creative offering on cancer will go out into the world to change others, too.

She adds: "The aim for this show was to offer alternative stories of cancer."

The show, she points out: "‘has lots of laughter and songs to sweeten the medicine, of course.

"I really hope you enjoy it. We made it for you."

After Liverpool there are dates in Newcastle and Coventry and then a tour of Australia.

The show is at Liverpool Playhouse until Saturday, performance starts at 7.30pm.

After tonight's show there will be a 30-minute post discussion with the cast.

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4776.