A HUGE community drama project in Cwmbran has brought young stars from all backgrounds together to shine for a showbiz spectacular at Greenmeadow Community Farm.

Time Flies - a musical and dance fest - was put together with the help of television and theatre professionals, and it's given more than 100 lucky youngsters from Fairwater, Hollybush and Thornhill a unique insight into the industry - for some it might even be the start of a showbiz career.

For others, it's a chance to be part of a show for the first time, and as Ceri Jones, project officer for SWAP explained, the best part was watching youngsters' self- esteem grow. She told the Free Press how young people had blossomed throughout the process.

"We have lots of fantastic volunteers working on the music projects alongside the professionals, and they get such a buzz from seeing young people who don't have much confidence at all turning into enthusiastic performers," she said.

Torfaen county borough council's deputy leader, Bob Wellington, chairman of the farm's board, has taken a keen interest in the show, and is urging people to go along. "Not all these young people will become famous, but everyone is a star," he said.

The show is part of a ground-breaking project called Cr8, launched in January, bringing together young people from Fairwater and SWAP, with Nigel Hart, musical director for BBC Wales, Sara Ekstrom-Gabb, from Music Wales, and Adrienne O'Sullivan, actor and drama tutor, who is currently starring in the BBC drama, The Bench, on Friday.

"It's just been fantastic working with these young people who want to go into the performing arts - I'm just passing on what I can," said Newport-born Ms O'Sullivan. The aim of the project was for a young production team, supported by professionals to create a polished and exciting performance in an unusual location.

They've chosen the milking parlour at the farm, which this weekend will be converted into a makeshift theatre space for performances of their musical extravaganza, Time Flies, over the bank holiday.

Everyone has had the chance to shine and the result appears to have been a rewarding experience for all.

Time Flies - performances start at 7pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6,7, and 8, plus 1pm on Monday and 2pm on Tues. Call 01633 480000 to book tickets.