Express & Star

Young drama group wows crowds in Italy

Youngsters from an acclaimed youth theatre group have taken their latest production to Italy as part of an international drama festival.

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Youngsters from Central Youth Theatre performing the new play Running Between The Tracks

Fourteen members of Wolverhampton's Central Youth Theatre have just returned from the Hollawind International Children’s Theatre Festival at Brixen in the Dolomite mountains of the South Tyrol.

The children, aged nine to 15, staged a new play written and directed by the group's co-director Holly Parry.

The production, Running Between the Lines, tells the story of Richard Paddington, who has signed up for the London Marathon to raise money for his failing family business and to win back the affections of his girlfriend.

The group met and watched other youth theatre groups from Russia, Italy, Ukraine and Israel during the festival, as well as taking part in drama classes.

There were also treasure hunts, outdoor activities and a fancy dress party, and they visited the town's famous Water and Light festival that was taking place at the same time.

Central Youth Theatre co-director Holly Parry said: "Our performance was really well received and it was an amazing five-day trip for the young people who made new friends from around the world.

"Despite all the cultural elements of the trip the group were also able to take in the atmosphere of being in a such a beautiful Tyrolean town surrounded by snow-capped mountains and now all the young people are driving us mad to know when they can go back their again."