A PLAYWRIGHT has won the Manchester Off West End 'Offie' award for her play. 

Caroline Lamb's play On Me was also shortlisted for best play at Manchester Fringe and received excellent reviews from its run in London. It was created by her production company 'Dangerous to Know.' 

The Westmorland Gazette: Caroline describes herself as a 'proud Cumbrian'Caroline describes herself as a 'proud Cumbrian'

She grew up in Grange and Sedbergh and went to sixth form in Kirkby Lonsdale.

On Me is about two actors that develop a relationship on the set of a true crime film set. However Shona is playing the ex-wife of a violent sex offender and murderer, and Christian is playing the killer.

The conflict is between their personal feelings towards each other, Christian's desire to be a good man in real life, and the nature of the roles they are playing in the film. 

Caroline's play was focused on gender violence towards women but looked to take an empathetic perspective on both genders with the subject. 

The Westmorland Gazette: On Me being performed in London with Madeleine Tavaré and Ben Martineau. Photo by Evelina Plonytė On Me being performed in London with Madeleine Tavaré and Ben Martineau. Photo by Evelina Plonytė

Caroline said the response to the play has been 'absolutely wonderful'

"One of the things that people said is that we really made people think," she said. "Although violence against women puts their lives at risk, it affects both men and women's enjoyment of life when actually the people that should be held to account are the proprietors of gender-based violence." 

When asked what gave her a perspective on the issue, she said: "Just being a woman and also having a lot of male friends that have been able to talk about this issue. 

"The male character is trying to work out what to do and how to do things correctly but he has not had too much exposure to platonic female friends and as a result, he is trying to be the best person but is failing in his relationships."

At Manchester Fringe, the play was staged above a pub. Caroline said that she wanted to prove that productions 'can be accessible, you don't have to pay a ridiculous theatre price.' 

Caroline said that she wanted to run more of her shows, but the biggest issue was finding funding. She also wants to continue expanding Dangerous to Know as a production company.