"I have always sensed an atmosphere about Brighton that is different from any other town. It’s that racy atmosphere which is brought about by the pier, the seaside and the race track, as well as Brighton Rock.

“Keith Waterhouse said this wonderful thing which has now gone into history: ‘Brighton always feels like a town that is helping the police with their inquiries’.”

It was this atmosphere which inspired writer Tony Milner’s latest play On Race Hill, which is being given a rehearsed reading to launch Brighton Dome and Festival’s Artist Development programme.

Tony is the director of Eastbourne-based New Vic Productions.

The company has previously produced one-man show The Quiz, which earned its star David Bradley favourable notices when it was performed at the Trafalgar Studios in London’s West End, and the stage version of Joe Meek biopic Telstar, which was written by actor Nick Moran.

On Race Hill follows a freelance journalist on the search for a story about the razor gangs and spivs who used to inhabit Brighton in the 1930s and 1940s.

“I had an office in Brighton for about 12 years,” says Tony. “I remember talking to somebody who knew all about the old gangs and underworld in Brighton, who was very keen to tell you the things that were going on.

“At one point he said to me ‘Did you know there are bodies buried on Race Hill?’ “Whether there are or not, I thought there is a mystery here that can be drawn into a plot, but also talks about the town at the same time. The story developed quite easily.”

The play follows the reporter as he speaks to older townsfolk, and captures the frustration of trying to piece together a story as his subjects veer off track.

“He finds himself in an area of useless information, without any leads,” says Tony. “But then he picks up on something, and the people he interviews from then on seem to connect to this essential piece of information.”

Tony admits he is quite abrasive and painfully honest about the city in the play.

“It is very truthful about Brighton as a seaside entertainment town which takes no prisoners,” he says. “There is this idea that Brighton is a bit dodgy; the play is trying to ask whether it is.”

The play is still in development, so the two performances at the Pavilion Theatre will allow audiences to see the actors treat it as a work in progress.

“We have received a tiny bit of money from the Arts Council to workshop this play,” says Tony.

“The Dome has given us the Pavilion Theatre for a week to play around with it. It is a bonus for a struggling playwright to see whether the piece has any legs, especially with a fairly powerful entity such as the Dome giving space and technical support.”

The performances will see the actors working with their scripts in an almost rehearsed reading-type setting.

Both performances will be followed by a question and answer session involving Tony and the cast.

“It should be interesting for audiences because they get to be involved in the process,” says Tony.

“If we can pull this out of the hat we’re hoping the Arts Council and Dome will get together so we can do it properly, either at the next Festival or mount it as a national tour taking in the 2011 festival.”

On Race Hill launches a new programme at the Pavilion Theatre designed to help artists in the South East develop their work and get reactions from audiences.

Philip Morgan, head of artist development and creative producer at Brighton Dome and Festival, is responsible for the programme, which also includes a series of four platforms at this year’s Brighton Festival, and a planned Scratch Night in March allowing artists to perform short works they have in development.

“If people want to send us ideas then we are open to having conversations with them and giving whatever advice we can,” says Philip. “There are limited funds available, but we want to use them to the best of our ability.

“It’s important people become aware that we are interested in fostering the development of artists in the South East.”

The Dome is currently developing a relationship with South East Dance, which has its own artist development programme, and The Nightingale Theatre, which has long supported new work with its own Scratch Nights.

For more information about the new artist development programme, please email Philip at ad@brightondome.org *Starts 8pm, tickets £4. Call 01273 709709.