THINGS get curiouser and curiouser as Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre gears up to present its fifth annual production on the main stage this April.

Gone are the "youth issues" which have dominated recently and in their place is a return to the magic of theatre itself with A*L*I*C*E Adventures In Wonderland.

But don't be fooled into thinking this is a simple child's fairytale as the man partly responsible for this programme change, new Youth Theatre director Michael O'Hara, says: "This is the third new play that has been especially commissioned for the theatre group. It's written by Brendan Murray who's very keen on drama for young people.

"He got the idea when he first came to Blackpool Grand and was bowled over by the beauty of the theatre itself and thought of taking the traditional Lewis Carroll story of Alice and incorporating the history of the Grand into it.

"So all the characters are the same but are given a theatrical twist -- for example the Gryphon and the Turtle are now a comedy double act like Morecambe and Wise and The White Rabbit is...well that would be telling. I don't want to give too much away. As for Alice herself -- that's quite a twist on the original."

Manchester-born Michael took over the reins of the Youth Theatre in September last year after Paul David packed up his director's chair and set off for pastures new.

"I found I enjoyed teaching more and more so that's how I got into it," said the former actor. "Rehearsals are going great but there's never enough time.

"The group were a bit worried when they first saw the script for Alice as they thought it would be just for toddlers but when they read it they realised there was a lot more to it.

"No one just wanted to make it another play about teenage issues -- but there are issues there if you look for them. It's got so many layers.

"Tickets sales are already going really well, but what we'd really like is to get some school parties in as well to see what we're all about.

"As for Alice, it's all about fun and entertainment and realising that theatre is the wonderland!"

A*L*I*C*E Adventures In Wonderland from Blackpool Grand Youth Theatre runs from April 4-7 with performances at 1.30pm and 7pm. For tickets at £7 (groups of 10+ £3) call the box office on 290190.