ROMEO and Juliet, Japanese-style. is set to take centre stage at a Darlington college tonight.

For the past three days, 18 performing arts students from Queen Elizabeth sixth form college and 12 year nine pupils from Haughton school have been learning the traditional Japanese art form of kabuki as part of the North East's celebration of the Japan 2001 festival.

Created in the 17th century, kabuki combines mime, music and drama with exuberant costumes and heavy white make-up to disguise actors' faces.

Tonight's performance at 7.30 is based on the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and will also include a short act by Mr Matuzo Nakamura, a celebrated kabuki artist from Tokyo.

The group has spent the last two days working with Mr Michael Spencer, education officer for the Royal Opera House and a kabuki enthusiast.

Mr Spencer has piloted a kabuki project in a handful of schools in the South but this is the first time he has brought the art form to the North.

A total of 39 BTEC foundation art students have also been involved in the design and make-up of the costumes which cleverly mix traditional and contemporary ideas.

Yesterday, Mr Nakamura arrived at the college to begin a series of workshops with the students as well as rehearsing with them for tonight's show.

The idea to bring kabuki to the college came from a meeting Ms Rita Smith, director of creative arts at the college, had with Mr Spencer two years ago, while discussions for the Japan 2001 festival were in their initial stages.

She said: "Since meeting Michael Spencer, I have wanted to bring him and his team to Darlington.

"He is so enthusiastic about kabuki and I feel we are indeed privileged to have them work with us.

"The workshops have been exhilarating and exciting and Friday's performance will confront all the senses."

Tickets cost £2.50 with a donation going to Children in Need and are available from the college on 01325 461315.