THE teenager sitting next to me was seeing what she called her "first proper Shakespeare". She loved it and so did the large contingent of younger people in the press night audience who were equally - and very vocally - appreciative at the curtain call.

Job done for director Amy Leach, aided and abetted by designer Hayley Grindle, whose transfer of the story to an urban Northern landscape is intended to capture the hearts and minds of younger as well as older, more traditional theatre audiences.

Visually, the production is a stunner as the tragic tale of the star-crossed lovers is played out on a circular concrete setting under the intense glare of a giant sun. Vocally too, this is a well-spoken, in a variety of accents, account of the familiar story of feuding families, rivalry and intolerance - themes that make the story as relevant today as it ever was.

To Leach's credit, none of this smacks of gimmickry. Whether it's the Capulet's Gym or a space-themed fancy dress ball (prompting what must be the first appearance by Darth Vader in a Shakespeare play) all slot neatly and logically into the concept.

Tessa Parr is a real heartbreaker as young Juliet, facing what amounts to an arranged marriage to Paris while her heart belongs to the dashing, laddish, thoroughly modern Romeo of Dan Parr (no relation, in case you're wondering).

Praise too for the company of young performers from the Playhouse youth theatre who 'play' the Chorus.

* Until 25 March. Box office 0113 2137700. Online wyp.org.uk

Steve Pratt