The story of Icarus is one that is going to be portrayed over and over again for the rest of time.

Having been done to death it is not the easiest thing to do a new take on but a group of teenagers form Croydon Young People’s Theatre (CRYPT) have managed to do just that.

Instead of just portraying the Greek myth, where the boy falls to his death trying to fly to the sun, the boys and girls have intertwined it with a story about the modern knife crime epic.

Sheree Vickers, leader of the youth group and Icarus director, was full of praise for the way the teenagers have tackled the play which they have been working towards in regular Saturday workshops since March.

“As I was getting to know the group it came apparent they wanted to do something quite meaty,” she said.

“For me greek tragedy is always meaty and holds a certain pull.

“I was looking at the story of Icarus and it was around that time that I think the 13th person died from knife crime in London and it got everyone thinking. The big question we were asking is what does it take for a young person to pick up a knife?

“We don’t answer that question but we use it as a theme alongside the Icarus, I see it more as two stories running parallel to each other.”

The teenagers, aged between 12 and 18, have been taking part in workshops every Saturday and will be taking over the Warehouse all week in preparation for their performance, including spraying graffiti around most of the stage.

CRYPT is part of Warehouse Theatre’s programme of activities and holds weekly sessions exploring new ideas that lead up to their annual summer show. They practice writing, acting and devising plays, and have even had a chance to learn stage combat this term.

  • Icarus, Warehouse Theatre, Dingwall Road, Croydon, August 1-2, 7pm, £6 / £4. Call 020 8680 4060 or visit warehousetheatre.co.uk