A new play that poignantly explores the role of fatherhood in a child's life, Miller, is showing at The Landor Theatre in Clapham this week.

Miller is performed and staged by recent graduates from Thames Valley University who formed the theatre company Abeo Productions.

Sean Coyne of Abeo Productions says: “The play starts with the character Paul reading a eulogy at his father Miller's funeral. Throughout the play the audience see flash-backs of important memories from their past.

“These moments are mirrored as time goes on. At the beginning Miller is telling his son a bedtime story and at the end Paul tells Miller a story in the retirement home. The roles of who is looking after who are reversed.

“It is a sad story; you know Miller is going to die throughout the play. Many people cried in the audience.

"It does have some humour and feel good moments though. Miller prepares his son for his death and his last words are 'life goes on'.”

The playwright Paul Ferguson wrote the partially autobiographical play to highlight the fact that the role of the father is sometimes overlooked.

Coyne says: “We want the audience to come away with a reminder to appreciate your family and to emphasise the importance of having a father you can look up to and follow.”

Miller was written for Abeo Productions and their final project at university. After graduating, a group of friends decided there was safety in numbers to see out the post university void and formed the theatre company. However the industry is proving quite fickle.

Coyne says: “Abeo is Latin for change. It may be a bit cheesy but we chose it for the reason that we want to force a change in attitude among the industry.

"Our qualifications and University doesn't have the prestige of graduating from a drama school even though the standard is the same.

“Your CV won't get a look in if it hasn't got a certain name on it. It comes from an attitude that is drummed into people who go to drama school and people who don't.

“The Landor Theatre is a great venue for us to break through to a wider audience.

"When starting out in any business of course money is a problem and rents are very high to stage a production.

"It can cost £1,500 a week in some theatres, but the Landor has proved more affordable.

“It is difficult but it is up to us to push ourselves, nothing is handed to you. You have to go out and make things happen.”

Miller, Landor Theatre, Landor Road, June 23 to 27, 7.30pm, £8. Call 020 7737 7276 or visit landortheatre.co.uk.