Pupils from schools in Dover and Croatia have joined forces this week to perform the musical Godspell.

It is the seventh international production involvingyoung people from Astor College for the Arts and 1 Gimnazija school in Dover's twin town of Split.

The joint cast had already performed the show in Split, filling the 800-seat national theatre for the three-night run in October and having to turn away many more people because there just wasn't room.

Originally set with circus-style characters, director Stephen Oliver had decided that for this production the youngsters should play themselves. Apart from Jesus and Judas, all of the cast retained their own Christian names.

"Godspell follows a group of young people who eventually form a community and re-tell the Gospel according to St Matthew," said Mr Oliver.

"I remain fascinated in how young people group themselves into tribe-like groups and for this reason I have explored the idea that groups of differing interests, dress, music taste, etc, could come together to form a community.

"For me, Godspell is not about the story of Jesus, but how a group of dissimilar young people can join together to celebrate with passion. This, combined with a contemporary urban jungle feel to the set, I hope brings Godspell into this century."