Pupils are inventing and practising a dance routine for a performance at one of Teesside's leading theatres.

The 13 and 14 year olds from Stockton's Our Lady and St Bede's RC School will perform with two professional dance troupes next week.

Their contemporary dance routine will be based on the concept of people's place in society and will be incorporated in show at The Arc, in Stockton.

Nicky Spensley, English and drama teacher at the school, said 27 youngsters were taking part, including two boys who had never danced a step before.

She said: "It's great fun and they are absolutely loving it. They had a full day's rehearsal with a company called Tin Dance last week and it's another company called Flex today.

"They're all practising themselves but there will be just one quick group rehearsal at The Arc on the actual day of the performance on Wednesday."

A spokesman for the Arc said other groups taking part in the performance included: Middlesbrough Linbury dance group and the Arc's in-house dance company Teesside Dance Initiative which will produce a piece with LAMM Youth Dance Company.

She said Durham's Flex Dance Company usually worked with adults with learning disabilities and Tin Dance works making dance accessible to audiences across the region.

The show, called Dual, will take place on Wednesday, March 10, at 8pm.

Tickets are £4 and £3 concessions. Call (01642) 525199 to book.

Published: 04/03/2004