InterAct Theatre Company, the resident Equity troupe in Philadelphia, will have a world premiere, Cry Havoc, as part of its 15th season in 2002-03.

The new work by Tom Coash, Jan. 10-Feb. 9, 2003, "follows a naive British writer and an Egyptian university student as they covertly live as lovers in present-day Cairo," according to the season announcement.

"Surrounded by poverty, religious fundamentalism and political repression, these educated, morally-centered yet disenfranchised men pursue divergent paths toward escape and extremism."

The play is said to contrast "the perils of forbidden love in an intolerant culture with the absurdity of government bureaucracy." Seth Rozin, InterAct artistic director, will helm the staging, which has an opening night of Jan. 15.

The three-actor play by Calfornia native Coash (pronounced "co-ash") will feature New York actor Piter Fattouche and Pennsylvania actors Tom Byrn (as the Brit) and Maureen Torsney-Weir (as a kinky, devilish British immigration employee). The play came to InterAct's attention as an unagented, unsolicited script via the mail. Coash lives in Bermuda. InterAct opens its 2002-03 season Oct. 18-Nov. 17 with Lee Blessing's Going to St. Ives, his play about the mother of a Central African dictator traveling to England seeking surgery for her eyes but having another motive. the mainstage season is rounded by Jim O'Connor's Rosemary, March 28-April 27, 2003, a work about the forgotten daughter of the Kennedy family. It won the 2002 Jeff Award for Best New Work in its Chicago premiere.

InterAct's mission is to produce new and contemporary plays "that explore the social, political and cultural issues of today's world." In 15 years, the company has presented 11 world premieres and 35 productions.

For information about InterAct Theatre Company, at 2030 Samson Street, in Philadelphia, call (215) 568-8077 or visit InterActTheatre.org