A THOUGHT-provoking play tackling the issues surrounding anorexia and starring Olivier Award nominee Caroline Horton will take centre stage in Motherwell.

The critically-acclaimed drama, Mess, is being staged at Motherwell Concert Hall ­tomorrow as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival - and ­entry is free.

Described as a darkly funny and deeply moving show, it focuses on protagonist Josephine, who struggles with anorexia, and attempts, with the help of her two friends, to put on a show that tackles issues relating to the eating disorder and trying to conquer the stigma around it.

Featuring original songs, Mess takes audiences to a world of addiction and recovery.

The show is based on Caroline's own experience of the illness and offers an insight into the pain of anorexia that challenges popular misconceptions.

Gerard Donnelly, senior charge nurse for NHS Lanarkshire's Specialist Eating Disorder Service, said: "Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour to cope with unmanageable thoughts and feelings.

"A person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and body shape, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food, with damaging results to their health."

Often thought of as a condition that affects young women, the truth is that eating disorders can affect both males and females of all ages, but it is most commonly seen in younger people.

Gerard added: "The sooner it is picked up, the better the treatment outcome, which is why we're keen to support this play which is promoting the issue."

Mess premiered at the Traverse Theatre at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has received four and five star reviews.

It won the 2012 Stage Best Ensemble Award and 2013 Argus Angel award for Best New Play.

Tickets are free and are available from Lanarkshire's mental health service, Well Informed.

Call 0800 073 0918 to book your tickets.

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk