THE new devised play Where I'm Stood reveals the untold stories of York's youth in a co-production between Upstage Centre Youth Theatre and City of York Council.

Using the real words of young people from York to unveil a hidden side to the historic city, the performances at three locations on September 4 to 6 are the culmination of a year-long research project involving more than 100 interviews, discussions and workshops.

Executive producer Joshua Goodman, from Upstage, says: "We've met and worked with some of the city’s most vulnerable and disengaged young people. We felt that it was time to give a voice to alternative versions of what it’s like to grow up in York.

"Everyone’s always talking about how cosy and middle-class the city is, but that discourse can have an oppressive, marginalising effect on those who don’t fit into that narrative. We hope this piece will give some young people a sense that their stories matter, even if they don’t feel like they are part of the city’s norm."

Where I'm Stood centres on three fictional friends whose world falls apart when one of them overdoses on hallucinogenic drugs. As they try to make sense of what is happening to them, they encounter four young strangers, all looking for answers to different problems. The actors portraying these characters employ a mixture of real words recorded from interviews and made-up dialogue inspired by true stories.

Director Matt Harper says: "We're working with seven brilliant early-career actors from York – each of them just a little older than the characters they are portraying – and so there's quite a lot of cross-over between acting, remembering and imagining.

"Many of the cast have had experiences similar to those in the play, and we're encouraging those to come through. I guess you could say it’s half-play and half-documentary. In that way, it’s really quite ground-breaking.’ Where I’m Stood will be performed by Amber Coulson, Elizabeth Whynes, Heidi Foss, Jessica West, Liam Kavanagh-Allen, Naomi Jeffries and Ruth Sparkes at Upstage Centre Youth Theatre, 41 Monkgate, York, on September 4 at 7.30pm. Further shows follow at York Explore Library and Learning Centre, Museum Street, on September 5 at 8pm and York Boxing Club, The Maltings, Walmgate, on September 6 at 5pm.

Tickets cost £7.50 or £5 online at whereimstood.com