A group of young people who set up their own theatre group almost five years ago are preparing to take their latest bow.

Members of the B&B Theatre Company are just weeks away from performing their latest show – the colourful story of Alice in Wonderland.

Taking to the stage at The Players Theatre, in Battery Green Road, for eight performances over Easter, this will be the fifth major production by the B&B Theatre Company.

The group was launched by five former Benjamin Britten High School students in August 2010, with the aim of giving young people across the Waveney district a showcase for their talents in performing arts.

Since then the group has won plaudits for its previous four shows – Oliver!, Annie, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz.

Now Lewis Carroll's timeless children's stories will be magically brought to life in this adaptation written by Adrian Mitchell and first produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, London.

With the Queen of Hearts' croquet match and the Mad Hatter's tea party just a couple of the remarkable features of the play, a cast of 45 young people from across Waveney will take part in a production directed by Sharn McDonald, assisted musical director Brian Parker and choreographer Charlotte Wood.

Sharing the lead role of Alice are 12-year-old Precious Smith of Hillcrest Drive, Lowestoft and 14-year-old Chloe Sexton of Banham Road, Worlingham.

Precious Smith, who attends Ormiston Denes Academy, said she was looking forward to the role.

Last year the B&B Theatre Company received an award from The Suffolk Foundation for its dedication and commitment to young people.

Ryan Holt, 20, from Corton, has been involved with the group since it began.

Mr Holt, who is chairman and producing the show, said: 'We were overwhelmed with the amount of young people that auditioned for the production.

'It's the biggest cast we've ever worked with.

'The age range of the cast is from six to 25, and everyone is so talented.

'We're really excited to be presenting this production at the Players Theatre, as it is such a intimate venue where the actors can connect with the audience.

'It's going to be a stunning show.'

? Alice in Wonderland runs from Thursday, April 2 to Saturday, April 11 at The Players Theatre, Lowestoft. Tickets go on sale today via the box office on 01502 770020 or via www.playerstheatre.info

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