A NEW stage is set on which members of Drama Workshop Youth Theatre will showcase their talents.

The Youth Theatre was founded in 1994 and since that time members have entertained audiences from the Theatre Church in Astley Bridge. However, recent problems with spiralling costs have forced a change.

The company has found a new home -- The Venue, on Deansgate -- which has undergone a full refurbishment to provide a drama studio, multi-purpose studio and recording studio, in addition to storage for the youth theatre's 2,000 costumes.

All workshops will be held at The Venue starting in September. The new home will accommodate workshops covering ages ranging from five to 26.

In 1994 the theatre began as a small group who would meet twice a year during school holidays. Today, there are more than 150 members who meet weekly throughout the year.

As a registered charity the groups aims to encourage all young people to participate, regardless of background or ability. The theatre raises at least 50 per cent of all workshop fees and offers excursions to professional theatres at reduced cost.

A member of the National Association of Youth Theatres, all workshop directors are qualified professionals.

Workshops which will run throughout the school terms include: Act One for eight to 10 years; Senior Youth Theatre for 11 to 14 years; and The Company for 15 to 18 years.

There are also various new singing and dancing workshops for different age ranges.New weekly workshops include: Playmakers, an introduction to drama for five to seven years; The Repertory for newcomers and experienced actors aged 18 to 26 years; singing workshops for eight to 14 years and 15 to 21 years; and dance workshops for 10 to 18 years. The dance workshops are a break from the traditional dance classes, exploring theatrical performance, physical theatre and choreography.

Despite being in need of constant funding themselves, the theatre's young members work throughout the year to raise funds for charity. In the past two years members have raised almost £5,000 for charities.

For more info on the workshops, telephone 07931 337764 or e-mail dramaworkshop_uk@yahoo.com