Young people in Neston have the chance to be involved in a specially-commissioned new play backed by the prestigious National Theatre.

The town’s InterACT Youth Theatre will be presenting the drama in March 2017 as part of National Theatre Connections, the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival.

Each year the festival offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.

‘Snow Dragons’ by Liverpool playwright Lizzie Nunnery involves Raggi and his friends who spend their free time in the woods and mountains around their fjord town playing games of Vikings, dragons and war.

When soldiers occupy the town they watch from the mountains as their friends and families are beaten, silenced or abducted.

Let down by the adult world they form The Snow Dragons, ‘the last line of resistance’ carrying out sabotage missions.

But this is no game and true courage requires great sacrifice.

Lizzie, an award-winning playwright, also writes extensively for radio and has penned numerous original dramas and adaptations for Radio 4.

In 2017 National Theatre Connections will be working with up to 260 youth theatres and schools to stage 10 newly commissioned plays.

All the companies will transfer their production to one of 28 Connections Partner Theatres across the UK.

National Theatre director Rufus Norris said: “Connections is at the heart of the National Theatre’s work for young people and one of the most exciting and important projects we do.

“We think it’s vital young people, wherever they are in the country and whatever their future, have a chance to get involved in theatre.”

As part of Neston’s Little Actors Theatre, which is a registered charity, InterACT offers an access and inclusion policy for all young people aged 11+ in Year 7+.

Funded by the John Thaw Foundation 50% scholarships are offered for young people from low income families and free places for unwaged families.

The directors are professional actors and the production team is led by a professional production manager giving young people an opportunity to experience industry standards.

‘Snow Dragons’ will be staged at Neston Civic Hall on March 11.

InterACT says it would welcome new cast members. For more details, contact Little Actors on 0151 336 4302 or InterACT@littleactorstheatre or www.littleactorstheatre.com .