CityLife

Youth theatre with a difference

IF the idea of ''youth theatre'' fills you with dread and the idea of encountering a load of hormonally-challenged wannabes in a draughty church hall is really not your scene, then the good news is that it doesn't have to be that way - certainly if Contact have their way.

With its avowed intention of working with young people aged 13-30, the company decided to avoid the traditional model of ''youth theatre'' and create a company for young people aged 16-25 that mirrors the experience of a small-scale theatre company - as much as possible. Thus it was decided to form a company of young actors each year, beginning in September and concluding with a performance in July.

This year Contact Young Theatre's show Lavinia's Dream is the finale of a year of work with acclaimed theatre director Lee Beagley (whose credits include Kaboodle and Walk The Plank).

The inspiration for the devised piece came from the group talking about violence in films and TV, its perceived glamour and how young people may have become immured to it.

Inspired equally by the text of Shakepeare's bloody shocker Titus Andronicus and Lewis Carroll's fantasy Alice In Wonderland, the play features a wholly original score and highly physical choreography for its tale of ''one girl's journey to a place of safety''.

Lavinia's Dream runs from Wednesday July 4 to Saturday July 7 at 8pm with an afternoon show next Saturday at 2.30pm. For more information contact 0161-274 0600. If you're inspired by what you've heard and want to be part of next year's Contact Young Actors Company, you can register your interest for a place in the auditions. Information can be obtained from the Contact during the week of Lavinia's Dream.