What a story, what a stage

The Greenwich structure has been a target since it was a twinkle in Michael Heseltine's eye. The snipers thought the case against it was black and white: a financial black hole and a white elephant.

Latterly this newspaper joined the chorus of criticism. To us it is shocking that so many millions of pounds of public Lottery money have been poured into the Dome when a grant to a truly important cause, the St Leonard's Hospice, was denied.

But those who condemn the project as wholly worthless are blinded by prejudice. Yes, it has proved outrageously expensive. Yes, the insipidness of some of the exhibits are testament to creativity by committee.

By contrast, however, the Our Town project is a runaway success. That is because it is fuelled by the unadulterated enthusiasm of the people behind it - youngsters from across Britain.

This week it was York's turn in the spotlight. At the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, five groups presented their interpretation of the York story. One, we are proud to say, even used the Evening Press Millennium history book as a source. And yesterday Revelations, an upbeat but not uncritical view of the city, was performed in the Millennium Dome itself. What a story, what a stage. These young people imported a sense of excitement and innovation into the Dome. And they will never forget being a part of something special during Millennium year.

They have assured themselves a place in history - a fully deserved citation in the modern Dome's day book.