A LEYBURN youngster has joined the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform one of the Bard's best comedies.

Alexander Hennessey, from Leyburn, joins Stanley Hodgson, from Darlington and Newcastle youngsters David McNally and Thomas Berry as part of the cast performing in the RSC's production of Much Ado About Nothing, at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. Alexander is appearing with 28 grown-up actors, including Harriet Walter, who plays the lead role of Beatrice, and Nicholas Le Provost, who plays Benedick.

The play, which opened last Tuesday, is one of eight productions being performed during the RSC's four-week-long stay in Newcastle.