A POWERFUL dance piece commemorating boys under the legal age of 18 who fought in the First World War will be performed on Saturday, April 5.

Boys and young men throughout Worcestershire have been working on a project that aims to encourage more males to dance.

Over six weeks, dance artists led by artistic director David McKenna of Beingfrank Physical Theatre have been working with boys and young men at five Worcestershire schools and with Sport undergraduates at the University of Worcester, on the Boys Dancing project.

Students from Bishop Perowne, Hagley and Nunnery Wood High Schools have all been involved with the project and will perform at College Hall, College Green, Worcester from 7.30pm.

The work will culminate in Our Brave Sons, a powerful and moving performance that looks at why so many young men lied about their age and signed up to fight in the First World War.

It will pay respects to the 250,000 boys under the legal age of 18 who volunteered to fight for their country but had no idea of the horrors awaiting them.

Boys Dancing is led by Beingfrank Physical Theatre and Warwick Arts Centre.

Dancefest, the dance development organisation for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, is managing the Boys Dancing project in Worcestershire for the first time this year in partnership with Worcestershire Dance Teachers.

Rose Beeston, Dancefest’s manager, said: “Boys Dancing is a fantastic project to be involved with.

"Dancefest is seeing more and more boys and young men taking part in dance.

"This project has involved over 70 male dancers aged between 12 and 21 who have gained skills and strength as well as creating some great new dance. "The theme of World War One is providing some very moving material and the performance promises to be beautiful.”

Tickets cost £2 and can be booked by contacting Dancefest on 01905 611199.

Some may also be available on the door.

For more information visit www.dancefest.co.uk.