Hedge End's Perfoming Arts Company (PAC) celebrate their tenth anniversary by recreating the show that started it all for this talented group.

Bernstein and Sondheim's classic musical about love amid gang warfare was the first production ever performed by PAC when it began in 1993.

This anniversary production sees the group treading the boards at Eastleigh's prestigious Point theatre for the first time rather than in their humble village hall.

Maria, the fiery Peurto Rican who falls for a boy in a rival American gang, is played by Rachel Bateman who scooped Best Actress at this year's Echo Curtain Call Awards. "This is only my second major role and it is very challenging but extremely exciting," says Rachel, 16, from Hedge End.

She is joined by newcomer Ben Campbell who plays her hero Tony. Ben, 20, from Fareham has not acted since he was at school over nine years ago. "It's rather terrifying knowing that this show has a lot to live up to with it marking the tenth anniversary of the group," he says.

23-26 July, The Point, Eastleigh. Performances: 7.30pm and Saturday matinee 2.30pm.Tickets: from £6. Box office: 023 8065 2333.