AN ACTress who came back to her home town with an idea of mixing its industrial heritage with literary classics will see her dream realised next week.

Shelly O'Brien has gone from a one-person theatre company to the head of a £30,000 open-air production.

She has written an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, interweaving the drama with the proud history of Consett Iron Company.

It will be performed in Blackhill and Consett Park, which was gifted to the people of Consett by the owners of the steel works, in 1891.

The play will centre on steel workers putting on a production for the park's opening celebrations.

The steel works closed in 1980 - a devastating blow from which the town and surrounding area is still recovering.

Ms O'Brien, 36, whose father and grandfather both worked at the company, said: "I am from Consett so it does make it more personal.

"This is the 25th anniversary of the closure of the steelworks.

"In a way, this is a celebration of what Consett was known for - that sense of pride then and also how Consett has got back on its feet."

She moved back to Blackhill five years ago and has worked with various regional arts groups since.

She set up her own company, Mad Alice Theatre, two years ago, with the aim of bringing together other North-East arts groups for one-off projects.

The park production will involve the Cleveland Theatre Company, which is from Darlington.

The project has attracted widespread support. Derwentside District Council donated £1,000 and officer time worth £5,000. Northern Arts gave £10,000.

It is also supported by the Nationwide Building Society.

Mad Alice has been running a series of free workshops with 12 local schools. Funded with an £18,000 grant from the Local Heritage Initiative, they looked at the history of the steel works and involving the pupils in the play.

They will parade lanterns through the park and provide entertainment for the audience, dressed in period costume or as fairies.

The play will run from Tuesday until next Saturday, July 17. Performances are at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 (£3 for concessions) and free for children under five.

For further details, contact (01207) 218899.