A BOLTON singer has landed a starring role in a new musical which opens in Manchester this weekend.

Bethany Mann will appear in Streetz, which was written from scratch by the directors and young people of the North West Youth Theatre School.

The ambitious show will be performed tomorrow and Saturday at the Abraham Moss Theatre, in North Manchester.

Taking inspiration from the young people’s own ideas and experiences, it tells the story of the lives, loves and losses of families living on a North Manchester street – and features a host of memorable songs.

Bethany, 21, of Hough Fold Way, Harwood, plays one of the main characters, Elaine Turner – a mother-of-five who runs the local café and has a secret hidden in her past.

Bethany – who sings in pubs and clubs at the weekends and works part-time as a teaching assistant – said: “To write your own musical is amazing, and this is a really special show – it’s fresh and different and something that people will be able to relate to.

“The quality of the work we do at the theatre school is very unusual – we produce shows to a professional standard, it’s a long way from amateur dramatics.”

The show has won praise from celebrities including television actor Gary Damer, a patron of the theatre school.

Gary, well-known for his role as Lenny Lemon in CBBC’s Hotel Trubble, said: “I was blown away the first time I saw Streetz. The production is so polished that it’s hard to believe you’re not watching a professional show.”

Prab Singh, Director of the North West Youth Theatre School, said: “We thought the best way for young people to appreciate brilliant musical theatre was to write their own show – and the results have exceeded all our expectations.

“We piloted Streetz last year and audiences absolutely loved it – there’s a real buzz about the fact that we’ve brought it back for a second run. I would urge people not to miss it – it really is a fantastic show.”

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £8 concessions, £32 family of four. To book, ring 07866 378569 or 0161 908 2466, or visit northwesttheatreartscompany.co.uk.