A NORTH Yorkshire drama group is to be one of the first youth theatres in the country to stage a production of Miss Saigon.

The Crash Bang Wallop (CBW) theatre group, based in Stokesley, is to stage the popular show later this month.

The West End has just released an edition of the show for schools and youth theatre groups and the Stokesley actors will be one of the first in the UK to perform it.

Written by the creators of Les Miserables, it is set during the Vietnam War and tells the story of a young Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American soldier. The production will be performed at Northallerton Forum from Wednesday, February 13 until Saturday, February 16.

The group’s director, Dan Brookes, said he was determined to apply for a performance licence as soon as he heard it was being released to schools and youth groups.

“The music is as wonderful as Les Mis and I am so thrilled to be able to direct the region’s first performance of such a fantastic show,” said Mr Brookes.

“I was also keen to take it to Northallerton Forum to show our support for what is now a not-for-profit organisation, run by the local community, since the local authority relinquished control of it.”

The cast is aged between seven and 17 and the lead roles are played by Ruby Hoggarth and Joseph Wetherell, both are aged 14 and students at Stokesley School.

Tickets for the shows, which all start at 7.30pm, can be obtained by ringing the CBW box office on 01642-722192.