A YOUTH theatre is celebrating its tenth anniversary by staging a show which inspired the group’s creation.

CBW Youth Theatre, based in Stokesley, is due to stage a production of Oliver next week – which was first performed by the group ten years ago.

The group was founded in 2005 by director, Dan Brookes. Its inaugural production of Oliver was produced in conjunction with the music department at Stokesley School and was intended to be a one-off event. But it received such a positive response from the audience, cast and parents, that he decided there was a need for a musical drama group in the area.

During the first few years, the group rehearsed in a variety of venues around Great Ayton and performances took place in local village halls. Dan ran the theatre group whilst studying a three year course at the Guildford School of Acting in Surrey.

Ten years on, the group has its own premises on the Terry Dicken Industrial Estate in Stokesley and stages two main shows a year at The Forum, Northallerton.

The group’s choreographer from the start has been Emma Greenhalgh, now married to Dan and a number of people who were part of the group as children have now returned to help as adults with the rehearsals, orchestra or backstage. Their musical director is professional musician Jeremy Harbottle.

Dan said: “We could not do what we do without the help of everybody.”

Performances of Oliver run from Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11 at the Forum, Northallerton.

Shows start at 7.30pm each day and there is also a Saturday Matinee at 2pm. Tickets are available from the CBW Box Office on; 01642-722192 or from the Forum on; 01609-776230

Tickets are £11 adults and £9 concessions.