A THEATRE training programme for young people is due to be launched in Stratford next Tuesday under the guidance of two of the industry's most respected tutors.

Sarah Barker-Doherty and Clayton Doherty will be running Carpe Diem, a resident theatre programme based at the Warehouse studio in Greenhill Street.

Carpe Diem will be offering 12-week courses for students aged between two and 21, which aim to develop performance and production skills.

As well as the classes, the group is hoping to run an intensive four-week course in the summer, a performance tour of New Zealand and the US and an opportunity to perform in the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds.

Ms Barker-Doherty originally hails from Stratford and has travelled the country in various directorial roles, as well as spending three years as associate director of the Alaska Theatre of Youth in the US.

Mr Doherty also worked in Alaska, but has trained and worked with companies from Norway, Brazil, Canada, Russia and Sweden and is currently teaching and directing for City Varieties and the Grand Theatre in Leeds.