CASTAWAY Youth Theatre is well into the swing of rehearsals for its production of Barry Manilow's Copacabana, to be performed at Chester Gateway from Tuesday to Saturday, November 22.

This will be Castaway's third production at the venue following last year's sell-out Oliver! and is an ambitious production featuring lavish costumes and the latest in spectacular lighting.

The cast features a host of Castaway regulars, including Warren Sellars (of local boy band 3/style) and Philip Cross (who has finished three years at Sylvia Young's Theatre School in London), who will be sharing the role of Stephen/Tony.

Charlotte Williams and Laura Roberts, both of whom are familiar Gateway faces, share the role of Lola.

Castaway Youth Theatre was formed in the spring of 1999 as a society for young people, parents and helpers from the Chester, Wirral and Ellesmere Port areas who wanted to get involved with the performing arts.

Its formation came as a result of a lack of opportunities for young people under 16 in the field.

When Castaway was established there was no money in the bank or rehearsal venue; but the team set about preparing to perform Bugsy Malone in Ellesmere Port Civic Hall in November 1999.

This first show was a resounding success, receiving excellent reviews and making a profit for the company - as was the case with its subsequent shows, Peter Pan and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Castaway performed on the Gateway's stage for the first time in 2001 with The Wizard of Oz.

The group's first president was Paul Fox, who played Mark Baldwin in Coronation Street. For performance times and booking information, telephone the box office on 01244 340392.