A powerful drama about the struggles of an Italian American family in 1950s New York gets its European premiere next week at Windsor's Theatre Royal.

Napoli, Brooklyn by Meghan Kennedy explores the conflict between the generations in immigrant families - a c onflict that which particularly affects the women.

The Muscolinos have raised three proud and passionate daughters. But as the girls come of age in a rapidly changing world their paths diverge in drastic and devastating ways from their parents’ deeply traditional values.

Hannah Bristow is one of the play's stars.

She is thrilled to be in a contemporary production which recalls Romeo and Juliet, except that audiences will not know how it is going to turn out.

She said: "This is a play by a contemporary author and although set in the 1950’s it covers issues that are still very relevant in today’s world.

"It looks at the experiences of an Italian immigrant family in New York, how those experiences affect the complex family dynamic – those times we should forgive and forget and the times we shouldn’t. The way how sometimes we seek comfort and solace within a world of set routines."

Hannah plays a girl with two sisters in the play. Asked who would she like to have as a sister in real life she does not hesitate.

"I really love Joni Mitchell’s music, especially the Blue Album. It would be lovely to have her playing and singing in the bedroom."

Her personal inspiration is actress Olivia Coleman.

"She appears in such a wide-range of programmes and genres and is superb whether it is on the television in Broadchurch or The Night Manager or in feature films like Favourite. Plus in real-life she seems so down to earth."

Napoli, Brooklyn runs at the Theatre Royal from Monday, May 6 to Saturday, May 11. Box office 01753 853888.