Alice and her friends are bringing their wonderland story to the York stage this week.

The Yorkshire Youth Dance Theatre will be tapping its way across the Grand Opera House stage in their latest production, Alice in Wonderland.

The company is part of The Royal Academy of Dancing and gives hundreds of young northern hopefuls the chance to star on the stage.

More than 130 children aged between eight and 18, from across Yorkshire, will take part in the show, which is a ballet in two acts choreographed by Victoria Westall, who used to dance with the Northern Ballet Theatre.

Victoria played Alice herself in the NBT production in 1988 and she has pulled this show together along with a score from Joseph Horovitz.

Gabrielle Armstrong, speaking for the company, said: "She has taken her inspiration for this production both from the music and from the children she has been working with. She has brought out their individuality and creativity whilst portraying the characters through movement."

The children have been rehearsing all week at The Railway Institute and are set to open with their ballet on Friday.

There will be 7.30pm performances on Friday and Saturday and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

For tickets contact the Grand Opera House box office on 01904 671818.

Updated: 11:44 Wednesday, April 18, 2001