A SCHOOL play highlighting social isolation is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Billed as “Romeo and Juliet, but with cystic fibrosis”, Cepacia will be performed by pupils from Durham School from August 13-18 at the Emerald Theatre.

Set in 2003, the play inhabits chatrooms used by young people with the condition, which is characterised by chest infections, which mean sufferers often cannot meet in person.

A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, the play – which takes its name from a bacteria which causes infections – has been written by County Durham High Sheriff Stephen Cronin, a recently retired NHS doctor.

He said: “One of the really cruel things about cystic fibrosis is the young people who are living with the condition can’t come together. It means they don’t get the benefits of peer support which group gatherings and trips away can offer.”

The cast includes Chris Coleman, 19, Ben Pulman, 18, Jayne Etherington, 19, Matthew Storey, 19, and co-director Amy Brownlee.

Head of drama Amy Brownlee said: “For me, it has been totally eye opening in terms of what it has taught me about cystic fibrosis.”