JUST as it is nonsense to protect children from being scared by Dr Who, so youth theatre is a chance for young performers to confront adult issues.

Take next week's double bill by York Youth Theatre's 14-16 age group. Carol Ann Duffy's adaptation of Grimm Tales explores the darkness and light, the mischief and joy of storytelling, while Bryony Lavery's More Light tells the story of 16 concubines entombed with the body of an emperor.

To survive, they must eat the corpse and then they turn to murder.

Stephen Burke, York Theatre Royal's education associate, is directing Grimm Tales and he notes: "They are still relevant for us in 2005, dealing as they do in abuse of power, the fragility and strains of family and the overwhelming need we all have for support in times of danger.

"In constructing our three tales from Grimm Tales, we've been mindful that there are subtexts to these stories that we could insist on drawing out too much; the neglect and abuse of children crosses all three stories very boldly, but we have attempted to keep each narrative clear and focused so as to let these themes speak for themselves. They are prominent enough to do so on their own."

Stephen says Grimm Tales are drawn from myriad cultures: the Middle East, Africa, Bavaria and more besides. "Every culture has its own entertainment tales, timeless tales, moral tales, and the young people we're working with are finding that you can play them straight or you can think about them beyond that, with issues such as child abuse and sexuality," he comments. "All the women's roles are strong too, which is a gift for youth theatre."

Grimm Tales and More Light (directed by Theatre Royal director of education Jill Adamson) may sound heavy going, but think again. "They deal with some macabre issues but also with friendship, and the will to survive in both plays is massive: in Grimm Tales they fight to stay alive against all the odds," Stephen says.

"York Youth Theatre is not a stage school, and instead the emphasis is as much on the social development of the young people who come to us. Through plays such as Grimm Tales and More Light, they work on issues that face them in their community and in their own lives, and they can challenge preconceptions in a controlled atmosphere.

"One of the things that separates us from stage schools is that we're not just about theatre form but content. If we can set them up to understand how communities work, they will develop into fine young adults. That's the hope."

Grimm Tales & More Light, York Youth Theatre, The Studio, York Theatre Royal, Thursday to Saturday, 7pm. Box office: 01904 623568.

Updated: 15:57 Thursday, April 28, 2005