An unusual addition to the Mercury Theatre's spring programme looks set to cause controversy.

Colchester MP Bob Russell is among those speaking out against the decision to include a production featuring men making different shapes out of their genitals.

Puppetry of the Penis features two Australian performers who strip off and contort themselves into different shapes for the duration of the show, almost an hour.

The production proved a smash-hit at the Edinburgh festival and then moved on to the West End where tickets were sold out.

But Colchester MP Bob Russell said on Tuesday he was disappointed the show had been chosen over other productions better suited to the town.

"It is disappointing that this has been chosen because I think there is probably quite a minority of people who would go to see it.

"I suppose the curiosity value is high but after that there is not much else. They can count me out of going to see something like this and I do find it a shame this has probably been chosen over something else," he added.

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