Joseph Marcell and Jade Anouka in Omeros

The world premiere of Omeros by Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott will be lit by candlelight when it opens at the Lakeside Theatre this week.

Lakeside is working in association with the world renowned Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to stage the show which will be lit from above by hanging chandeliers decked out in beeswax candles to create an authentic 17th Century Jacobean atmosphere at the Colchester Campus-based theatre.

The beeswax candles will be specially brought in from the Globe’s new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, where every production gets the candlelight treatment.

Lakeside Theatre Technical Manager Harry Harris solved all the health and safety problems that allowed the candles to come to Essex.

He said: “It is lots of paperwork, but the results will be really rewarding. We think we’ll have around 48 beeswax candles, 12 on each chandelier.”

“The biggest problems are making sure wax doesn’t drip, and making sure the actors don’t get too close to the flame!”

Despite thorough safety planning, the law still states Harry will have to spend the duration of the performances in the wings armed with a fire extinguisher at all times.

“I will miss out on the show, which is a shame, but as long as the audience are happy and have a wonderful and different experience that’s what counts.”

Omeros, starring Joseph Marcell (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air) will be created and rehearsed on site at Lakeside Theatre, based at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus. The hugely-anticipated show will receive its world premiere run at Lakeside Theatre from Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 May before being staged at the Globe’s unique new Sam Wanamaker Playhouse between Saturday 31 May and Monday 9 June.

Tickets for the Lakeside Theatre production are now on sale at www.lakesidetheatre.org.uk or by calling 01206 8723261.