TALENTED young thespians are preparing to take their town by storm for the second time in 12 months.

Hot on the heels of their award-winning summer production of Guys and Dolls, Darwen Youth Theatre's youngsters are back on stage next Tuesday (Jan 16) to perform the Broadway hit, West Side Story.

Show director Colin Povey has been rehearsing with about 40 youngsters since September.

Production co-ordinator Stella Barclay said: "I hope the people of Darwen will support the show. The cast have put a great deal of effort into it and I'm sure it will be fantastic."

Set in the seamy suburbs of Manhattan, West Side Story is the heart-rending modern day version of Romeo and Juliet.

The gang rivalry between the Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks reaches fever pitch when former Jet, Tony, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Shark leader Bernado.

When Bernado is killed in a gang misunderstanding Tony and Maria become unwilling tragic participants in the resulting vendetta.

The theatre won Blackburn Borough Council's Community Action Youth Section Award last year. Their new show runs from January 16-20 at Darwen Library Theatre starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are already being snapped up and the show is expected to be a sell-out.

Tickets are available from Darwen Library, £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

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