YOUNG people from all over Worcestershire will perform a vibrant production of Fiddler on the Roof at Malvern Theatres.

Set in a small village in Ukraine, the musical focuses on a Jewish family on the eve of the Russian revolution and the struggles of milkman Tevye to cope with the nuptial aspirations of his five daughters.

Fifteen-year-old Laura Sykes, a pupil at the Chase Technology College, is appearing with the company for the first time, singing and dancing as a member of the chorus.

Laura has a part-time job working behind the popcorn stand at Malvern Theatres and said being involved with the production was good fun.

"I got involved with Worcestershire Youth Theatre because people I knew were in it and they really enjoyed it and made lots of good friends," she said.

Laura said that she wanted to study drama as an A'Level subject and hoped to become an actress one day.

Focusing more on the celebratory and comic elements of the show than the darkness and melancholia of the classic film, the Worcestershire Youth Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof features sets and costumes based on the colours of sunrise and sunset and of Chagall's paintings.

The group aims to provide talented school and college students from across the county with the chance to perform in a professional theatre.

Fiddler on the Roof is its fifth production and has been made possible through the sponsorship of Novera Asset Management UK.

The company rehearses at Stourport High Language College and the first two performances will be at the school on Thursday and Friday (February 5 and 6), at 7pm.

The performances at the Forum Theatre, Malvern, are on Wednesday and Thursday, February 11 and 12, at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the Stourport production are available on 01299 872950 and the Malvern Theatres production on 01684 892277.

Any students interested in joining the company, which is particularly in need of set builders, should contact Debbie Poulton on 01905 333505.