AN exhilarating new play examining fear, friendship and creeping divisions in society will be performed in West Devon by members of Chagford Youth Theatre.

The prestigious National Theatre Connections (NTC) festival will come to Dartmoor in?February with three performances of the play by Anders Lustgarten.

Extremism will be performed by Chagford Youth Theatre Group, whose members come from Throwleigh, Chagford, Drewsteignton and South Tawton. The cast of ten are all current or former students of Okehampton College.

Anders Lustgarten won the Harold Pinter Playwrights Award and is under commission for the National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre. This latest work examines fear, friendship and creeping divisions in society with sharp wit and startling action.

The National Theatre launched its Connections Festival 22 years ago to provide young people, schools and youth theatre groups with high quality, new, relevant plays.

In 2016, Chagford Youth Theatre group performed another modern drama ‘Bassett’ to great acclaim at the Plymouth Theatre Royal. Chagford Youth Theatre is once again under the experienced direction of Jo and Paul Diffey.

Audiences will be able to see performances of Extremism at Gidleigh Village Hall on Thursday, February 9, The Drewe Arms, Long Room, Drewsteignton on Friday, February 10 and Chagford Jubilee Hall on Saturday, February 11.

The producers and directors advise that the production is not suitable for children under 13.

The play contains some dark humour, strong language and some scenes of violent behaviour, though on a level below some of Shakespeare’s violent plays.

Paul Diffey is co-directing the show with his wife Jo. He said: ’This cast of young people are really generous performers – really supporting each other and give energetic performances.

‘The play Extremism deals with some current and difficult issues, including bullying and divisions in society. Many people will have heard of the ’Prevent’ programme to counter radicalisation and this play looks at the impact of that programme — it is thought provoking.’

The directors and producers expressed thanks to West Devon Borough Councillor James McInnes for his support via the locality fund for this project, together with the Globe Inn, Chagford, Gidleigh Village Hall, the Barefoot Barns and the Drewe Arms.