CASTELL Alun High School is playing a leading role in Shell Connections, one of the world's largest celebrations of youth theatre.

Produced by the National Theatre, the programme gives 11- 19-year-olds the chance to work on challenging new plays on stage and behind the scenes.

Adele Smith, head of drama at the Hope school, attended a training weekend to launch Shell Connections 2005 at the Theatre Royal, Bath. She met and took part in workshops with Geoffrey Case, author of a new play called Samurai, which the pupils are to stage at Castell Alun, before a performance at a regional drama showcase.