A DOZEN County Durham teenagers who have been excluded from schools will premier a major multi-media theatre production at Newcastle Playhouse.

The play, Base Jump, will focus on youngsters in search of danger and excitement who 'base jump' - a new sport that involves leaping off major buildings, cliffs and mountains with a parachute.

Members of Derwentside group Theatre Cap a Pie, have been working with the 12 young people for the past five months.

Writer Ian Dowson worked with, and got to know, the youngsters involved for three months before producing the first draft of the play.

He said: "Exclusion is an area of deep concern to me personally and being the writer in residence was a great opportunity for me to really get involved with the reality of many issues.

"I developed the story from the lives of these young people, some of whom are as young as 13 and older ones of 19. And when I'd done the first draft one of the lads said; 'this is real, this is the crack,' which is just great."

Carla Davison, 16, plays Carla in the show. She said: "Joining the group is the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Tickets are available, priced £3 and £5 from Newcastle Playhouse, where the play was being featured this Thursday.

Next week on Thursday and Friday, June 21 and 22, the show will be performed at Stanley Civic Theatre. Tickets are priced at £4 and £3.