WHEN you are presenting an average of nine productions every year, it is almost inevitable, even in the most organised of companies, for something to go wrong in the schedule.

Eight weeks ago, director John Cooper was starting rehearsals for a specially- adapted version of The Imaginary Invalid, with a team of the bright young things responsible for Honk! And latterly Snoopy, at the beginning of this year.

Although Cooper usually double-casts for Stagecoach Youth Theatre's York shows he felt secure enough with his nine to 14 year old group to make sure everyone had a good part in this farce of many characters.

The best-laid plans often go astray. Two weeks later and half an hour before the third rehearsal was to begin, the 'phone rang and, for the first time in the ten-year history of Stagecoach, two prominent cast members had withdrawn from the production.

With only 18 hours of rehearsal left Cooper and his troupers gambled the postponement of The Imaginary Invalid for the sophisticated humour of the tried-and-tested Shakespeare Revue. Although the company took this pot pourri of songs and sketches to the Edinburgh Fringe only two years ago, it was with the senior members of the group. Now Johnathan Holbek (whose 13th birthday was recently) will be performing material by Monty Python while Oliver O'Shea (only a week into his 11th year) will be tackling the razor sharp wit of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.

Oliver says: "I really enjoy the change of styles in the Revue which gives it so much variety". Johnathan adds: "I love the different kinds of humour and the song and dance routines are a challenge but great fun to do."

With so little time and resident choreographer Eric Carpenter bound up with Northern Ballet School in Manchester, Cooper turned to old friend and original cast member of the Shakespeare Revue, Annie Ormond, to re-stage several of the dance numbers between bouts of revision for her 'A' levels.

In fact, as they settle into their own theatre in Monkgate, everything about Stagecoach is now 'home grown', with staffing and technicians all being members of the same company, supporting each other's productions and reinvesting Cooper with an optimism which could have taken a serious tumble only six weeks ago.

Shakespeare Revue (The condensed version) plays Trinity Hall, Monkgate, York from June 13 to 15 at 7.30pm; running time approximately 45 minutes. Tickets: adults £4, concessions £2.50. Box office: 01904 674675 or on the door.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, June 07, 2002