Young thespians will take to the stage in Sunderland this weekend

The group will performing They Fall Like Snow at 1.30pm and 3pm as part of the Asunder Programme this weekend.

They Fall Like Snow will offer audiences an original interpretation of life on the home front during the Great War.

This cross art form piece set in a shipyard showcases physical theatre and poetry pieces. The young people involved in Curious Connections have taken a leading role in the creative process to produce a haunting and beautiful reflection of what it might have been like to live in Sunderland in 1916.

The premier of Asunder, which will take place at the Sunderland Empire on Sunday, brings together the stories and images of the past with music from the present to tell a poignant and relevant story of what happened to a typical British town during the First World War.

The story is told through a beautiful film carefully crafted using archive and newly filmed footage, narrated by Kate Adie, with Alun Armstrong as the voice of the Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. The film's dramatic soundtrack will be performed live by the world famous Royal Northern Sinfonia, Mercury Music Prize nominated Field Music and electronic music duo Warm Digits.

Pre-show entertainment will be taking place at the Sunderland Empire when doors open to ticket holders, and in venues surrounding the theatre ahead of the premier of the film Asunder.

Curious Connections is a group of young people with additional needs such as autism, who work with No Limits Theatre and Sunderland Empire’s Creative Learning Team to learn about all aspects of theatre through a range of weekly performing arts sessions whilst also achieving an Arts Award qualification. The performance at the Minster will be the group's second public event following a successful performance at Northern Stage earlier this year.

Janet Nettleton, director of They Fall Like Snow, said: "I am extremely excited that Curious Connections will be performing their latest piece as part of Sunderland’s showcase event Asunder.

"This group of young people with autism and additional needs continue to amaze and surprise me with their commitment to creating unique and compelling theatre for mainstream events."

Hollie Coxon, Creative Learning Manager, Sunderland Empire, said: "We’re especially proud at the impact of Curious Connections and the creative and personal development of the young people and families we work closely with. It’s been a pleasure to watch their growth as a group, and we can’t wait to welcome new members to the group."

Curious Connections welcomes new members from next September 2016 and no previous theatre experience required. For further information about Curious Connections contact 0191 5661056 or [email protected].