A GROUP of teenage actors have recreated the last known movements of missing Hamble boy Dan Nolan in a bid to keep his disappearance in the public spotlight.

The four youngsters from Oaklands Youth theatre act in Dan Nolan . . . Missing which has raised the curtain for its first night at Oaklands Community School, Lordshill, Southampton.

The hour-long performance recreates the fateful fishing trip that Dan took with pals on New Year's Day before he went missing and looks at his family life and what might have happened to him.

Many of the audience, who had packed out the modest theatre, were moved to tears by the poignant performance.

Dan's mother Pauline and sister Claire were there to see themselves portrayed.

Pauline said: "I think it's a very truthful story about what happened that evening and what we as a family are going through. They have done a marvellous job. It's not very easy for them because it's such an emotional subject to deal with."

Director Mark Wheeller said: "The desired effect is that someone who saw something on that evening might come forward. It might jog their memories or make them realise how important it was. The message is also that young people should stay together in groups."

Kate Dean, 16, plays Dan's mother Pauline. The Barton Peveril college student said: "It's difficult because it's really emotional and we have to be as truthful to the character as possible. She is a real person, not just a fictional character. I have met her and she is such a lovely person."

Darren Harley, 17, plays Dan. He said: "The way I prepared for this was by talking to Dan's mum and dad and then I thought about how I was at his age. He is a well-known person with lots of friends and his family love him to bits."

Mr Wheeller hopes to tour with the productionacross the country in an innovative bid to raise awareness. It will be shown around Hampshire over the next nine months and after that it could be in line for critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival.

Mark said: "I went to speak to Pauline and Greg and they said they needed national publicity and I thought I could help because I have written plays which have toured internationally.

"As a person I feel desperately sorry for them and also as a parent."

Go to our Stage section at: http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/hampshire/southampton/whatson/stage.html to read the review of Dan Nolan . . . Missing