ONE of the region's theatres is celebrating attracting younger audiences and presenting new writing to the stage.

Audiences in the 16 to 25 age bracket have increased 26 per cent at York Theatre Royal over the past three years.

Youngsters will dominate the stage when the theatre hosts its first regional festival, from April 27 to May 8, as part of National Theatre Shell Connections.

Youth theatres and schools from York, Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Leeds, Bradford and Rotherham will perform newly-commissioned pieces by leading writers in The Studio.

York Youth Theatre members, aged between 11 and 13, will appear in adaptations of classic stories from July 15 to 17.

Meanwhile, a collection of 15-minute works by leading writers, called Up Front, will be staged before performances of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey from May 24 to June 12.

A new version of the West End hit comedy The Pocket Dream, by Sandi Toksvig and Elly Brewer, will be staged from June 28 to July 17.

Touring productions include Hull Truck's return in John Godber's new comedy Black Tie And Tales (April 29 to May 1), and Oxford Stage Company's revival of George Bernard Shaw's comedy Candida (July 27 to 31).

"What we've been able to do in The Studio is quite incredible - a year of six new works," said artistic director Damien Cruden.

Tickets are available from the box office on (01904) 623568 or at www. yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Published: 10/04/2004