IT’S one of the best-loved stories of all time and complete with pirates, Indians, mermaids, fairies and plenty of flying. Peter Pan will be this year’s Palace Theatre ’s Summer Youth Project.

With beautiful music and ambitious setting, 80 youngsters, making up both cast and crew, will bring JM Barrie’s classic tale about the boy who never grew up to the Westcliff theatre, from Thursday, August 23.

“It’s certainly our most ambitious project,” says Emily Malcolm, Southend Theatre’s community and education manager. “We’ve got a massive full-on set. It’s going to be a beautiful show this year, we’ve got 80 young people, including ten technical people who’ve been doing workshops all week, a bit of props, lighting, sound and stage management.”

It’s a very different production from last year’s more modern one – Disney’s High School Musical – and Emily says as the 100-year-old theatre is celebrating it’s centenary this year, she was keen to put on a more classical show.

“I think Peter Pan is everyone’s favourite, isn’t it?” she says.

“The theme of growing up is something you’re either going through or you’ve gone through, so everyone can relate to what it feels like.”

The flying has provided particular excitement and the plans are ambitious in their scope.

Emily explains: “We’re flying seven different people, Peter Pan does quite a lot of flying, Wendy, John and Michael fly, Tinkerbell flies a couple of times and we have two mermaids who fly behind a gauze to make it look like they’re swimming.

The Palace runs it’s popular Summer Youth Project each year and sees young people aged between nine and 19 come together and working hard to put the show on in just a couple of weeks.

Peter Pan, is at The Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff,   Tomorrow until August 26, 7.30pm, Sat and Sun mat 2.30pm, £13.50.  Call01702 351135