A GROUP of teenage friends have once again produced a difficult Shakespeare play with no help from adults.

The Stockton youngsters, aged 14 to 18, will open their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the £11m Arc theatre tonight.

Since the group, called the Arden Theatre Company, staged Julius Caesar last year, they have received national attention.

They have been contacted by the British Shakespeare Association, which is hoping to book them to stage a play at a Newcastle theatre.

The company has also raised funds -about £2,500 -to stage A Midsummer Night's Dream, which involved several elaborate costumes.

Director Robert Icke, 17, who studies at Queen Elizabeth College, in Darlington, said: "Possibly the most difficult was the donkey's head that one of the characters has to have.

"In the end we went to a man in Ripon who makes prosthetic teeth for the character. They cost £200 and are amazing; they totally transform the character. We have been really strict on making sure everything is as good as we can make it."

There are 16 members of the company representing every sixth form college in the Stockton area, as well as colleges in Darlington and Guisborough.

As well as taking all the parts, the youngsters must also take on all the backstage roles, including finance.

Daniel Hill will take a starring role and Martin Holmes has produced the play.

The play will be staged until Saturday, at 7.30pm, with matinees tomorrow and on Saturday. Tickets are £6, and £5 for concessions, available on (01642) 525199.