HAVE you got a play for 45 children, please? This is the question that the Dolman Youth Theatre asks every year, and the choice is dwindling as this popular local Youth Theatre has staged just about every play for teenagers from Bugsy Malone to Shakespeare.

So this year two of the Adult Leaders, Lynn Phillips and Heather Morgan, took matters into their own hands and wrote their own adaptation.

The Arabian Nights, which is due to be performed at the Dolman Theatre from December 5-7, is the exciting result.

"We loved the Arabian Nights stories, had read one adaptation, but we knew the style wouldn't suit our members, who have a great sense of humour and occasion," said Lynn, "We've also written in some fabulous gymnastic and circus skills, which we learned at one of our regular sessions.

"In fact if we'd realised how much fun it can be I think we'd have done it years ago!" The cast have also been learning belly dancing, stage fighting and stilt-walking especially for the play.

Lynn has been writing for some time now but it was Heather's first foray into plays. As they both teach at Eveswell Primary School, and both have sons who attended the Dolman Youth Theatre, it was only a matter of time before they put their heads together.

"The cast are busy rehearsing and everyone has been incredibly supportive - Becky Phillips, Noreen Owen and Judith Beavis are all fired up about making our costumes, and a veritable Aladdin's Cave is appearing in the wardrobe department," said Heather. It also has the advantage that Lynn and Heather could make sure it was suitable for any audience.

"The whole family can enjoy the magical stories of Scheherazade and her Prince," remarked Lynn.

You can join in the fun by coming along to the Dolman Theatre. Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for children, students and OAPs, available at the box office or from the visitor's centre, Newport library.