BOLTON is among six theatres from across the country to be twinned with an international Commonwealth partner with the aim to devise new pieces of drama.

Up to 200 people from the theatre companies have created new plays as part of the Contacting the World event by exchanging thoughts about the world.

In Bolton young members of the Octagon's Activ8 are taking part in the Contacting the World event, and they have been working in partnership with a company from Pandies in India.

Each play will be showcased in Manchester's Contact Theatre from Monday, July 15. But first, the group from the Five Arts Centre in Malaysia has a specific request. The group is in desperate need of a Chinese Shigu drum and a beer keg for use in its play, Stadium. Anyone able to help can call the Marketing Department at Contact on 0161 274 0604.

The list of performances is: Monday, July 15 -- Stages, Sri Lanka and Sherman Youth Theatre, Wales; Tuesday, July 16 -- Live Theatre, Newcastle and Askhen, Five Arts Centre, Malaysia; Wednesday, July 17 -- Theatre Royal, Stratford East and Arts in Action, Trinidad; Thursday, July 18 -- Activ 8, Bolton Octagon and Pandies, India; Friday, July 19, Contact Young Actors Company and Kattaikkuttu Sangam, India; Saturday, July 20 -- Peshkar, Oldham and National Troupe of Nigeria, Lagos.