WREXHAM'S oldest amateur theatre is set to host a play that tackles a very modern subject.

Enda Walsh's Chatroom is a play about manipulation, cyberbullying and adolescent insecurity, which was first performed as part of the 2005 National Theatre Connections season, an annual festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools.

Grove Park Theatre's youth section will present the play for two performances with the young cast taking on roles which have been previously portrayed by some famous actors including Andrew Garfield, Matt Smith and Andrea Riseborough.

Founded in 1970, the group welcomes young people from the ages of 10 - 18 and offers weekly sessions which focus on all aspects of theatre and performance skills.

The play's action takes place in a staged representation of the virtual space of an internet chatroom. A group of bored and restless teenagers – William, Jack, Eva, Emily and Laura – spend their time deconstructing children’s literature and the messages in modern pop music. But when a new member, Jim, joins to share his depression and thoughts of suicide, the conversation takes a dark turn. The group is torn between those who want to help and those who see this as a chance to create a martyr for the teenage population.

Director, Anna Goodman said: "We have a lot of highly talented people in our youth theatre, which recently has been absolutely thriving.

"This show has given them a chance to see another side of theatre - not just the large casts & musical numbers - but the close-knit, character focused, gritty plays. Chatroom has allowed them to explore the subtleties of performance, whilst proving they can carry a full play on their young shoulders.

"Chatroom may be set 14 years ago, but the problems it explores are relevant today - discovering who you are, realising who your real friends are and never being certain who you're speaking to online."

Chatroom is at Grove Park Theatre, Wrexham, on June 1 and 2 at 7pm. For tickets / box office call: 01978 351091. For more information go to: www.groveparktheatre.co.uk