Young actors from across Kent will appear on stage tonight as their latest production, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, opens in Chatham.

The musical, performed by Spotlites Youth Theatre, is an imaginative account of what happens when the lives of new and old fairy tale characters come together.

The show features more than 40 youngsters including Elysia Colwell from Gillingham who has her first principal role as Cinderella.

The 16-year-old said: “I love being a part of the Into the Woods cast. It’s a great opportunity to work on a spectacular show like this and although we have had to overcome obstacles – with some very fast songs – we have all only come out stronger.”

Daniel Collier, 19, from Gravesend plays Cinderella's Prince and said: "The play is very well written and the cast have all worked really hard. The whole show really makes you think and connect with the characters."

Into the Woods also features 15-year-old Maya Tinapp from Rochester as the witch; Rachael Lewis, 17, from Rainham as Granny; Abbi Anderson-Jones, 15, from Grain as Jack’s Mother; and Esme Weiler-Grove, 17, from Chatham as the Baker’s Wife.

Bartholomew Hall, 15, from Walderslade narrates the tale with Likezo Harris, 15, from Sittingbourne as the Wolf; Keri Powell, 11, from Coxheath as Little Red Riding Hood; and Gavin Adlington, 14, from Rodmersham playing Hansel.

Jamie Hubbard from Strood has appeared in Spotlites' shows for the past eight years and plays Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk, in the latest production.

The 15-year-old said: "The show itself is unique as it has a quaint fairy tale appearance, however underneath there lies a dark and twisted tale that shows the realities and struggles of life such as death, growing up and family breakups.

"We have all worked really hard on this production and we cannot wait for the first show."

Into the Woods opens this evening at Kings Theatre, in High Street, Chatham, at 7.30pm. There are two shows tomorrow at 1.30pm and 7.30pm, and one at 7.30pm on Saturday.

Tickets £12, concessions £10. Box office 01634 829468.