THE curtain rises tonight on the first performance of the production of West Side story presented by 250 members of the Summer Youth Project in Swindon.
Taking the leading roles at the Wyvern Theatre are Paul Tonkin as Tony and Anna Mitcham as Maria.
Paul, 22, from Swindon, starred as Mr Bumble in Oliver and Freddie in My Fair Lady, two previous youth projects, while this is Anna's first production with Summer Youth.
For Anna, 19, from Didcot in Oxfordshire, it is a dream come true, as she says that West Side Story is her favourite musical and she always wanted to play Maria.
And for the first year, Pollyann Tanner, from Tanwood School of Dance is taking on the dual role of director and choreographer a combination that she says she is relishing.
West Side Story is the ninth Summer Youth project, following the success of Bugsy, Annie, 42nd Street, My Fair Lady, Oliver, Me and My Girl, Joseph and last year's Crazy For You.
The Summer Youth Project is backed by EMI, the Evening Advertiser and Swindon Council.
West Side story runs from tonight until August 10 and tickets are from £8.50 on (01793) 524481.
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