THE Grand Opera House, York, and City of York Council are teaming up to offer students the chance to see an award-winning play for £5 this spring.

Freddie Fox and Josie Lawrence will be starring in the Birmingham Repertory Company production of Alexis Michalik's Edmond De Bergerac, from April 2 to 6, in the English language premiere of a comedy that won five Molière Awards, including Best New Play, in France.

The setting is Paris, 1895, where Fox's Edmond Rostand is a struggling playwright with writer's block after his last play was a flop. Down on his luck, he helps his best friend Leo woo a girl called Jeanne by writing romantic letters to her as if from him, duly giving him a brilliant idea for the plot of a new play, Cyrano de Bergerac.

Assisted by celebrated actor Coquelin (Henry Goodman), theatrical legend Sarah (Lawrence's role) and faded star Maria (Chizzy Akudolu), Edmond starts writing again, but will he finish his masterpiece? Will the play be a hit? And will Jeanne ever discover that Leo's love letters were really written by Edmond?

This is the third time the Opera House and city council have offered £5 tickets after the National Theatre tour of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler in February last year and Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party last month.

Cllr Keith Myers, executive member for education, children and young people, said: "Whether you enjoy or are studying drama or literature – French or English – this offer gives a very affordable opportunity to experience both good theatre and live comedy."

Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for culture, leisure and tourism, added: "We have a wealth of local and visiting companies which we want to encourage people of all ages to enjoy. This partnership aims to support young people, and those studying, to get the most from the city's cultural offer."

The tickets are available to anyone aged 26 or under and students for all performances of Edmond de Bergerac, subject to availability. Phone 0844 871 3024 or book online at atgtickets.com/york or in person at the Cumberland Street theatre's box office, giving the code Edmond5. When collecting, ID must be presented as proof of age/student status/employment.

Charles Hutchinson