ASPIRING young writers have been helping to revive an ancient art.

Pupils from St Joseph’s RC Primary School, in Durham, have been writing a new play to be performed as part of the revived Durham Mysteries.

The 24 children aged eight to 10 teamed up with playwright and director Toby Hulse to re-interpret the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac.

Mr Hulse said: "Knowing that this story will be performed by adults for adults has inspired the children to take all sorts of creative and intellectual risks."

In the Bible story, God calls upon Abraham to sacrifice his son, before providing a ram to take Isaac’s place.

The new production includes a new character known as The Child, who reflects the children’s reactions to the events of the story.

Mr Hulse said: "The Child will voice the children’s thoughts and feelings but also attempt to interfere with the course of the story to make it end in a way that the children feel is fair to the young Isaac.

"The conclusion of this is as unexpected as it is deeply moving. I think many adults will be surprised at the depth of thought that the play reveals, as well as the tremendous understanding of what makes a good story.

"The words that the actors will speak will be those that the children have written for them, so that the play becomes a mouthpiece for their view of the world."

The Mysteries will see new plays and works performed across Durham in May, rethinking the medieval tradition and boosting Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2013.

For more information or to get involved, email: mysteries@galadurham.co.uk