SALEM witch trials are the subject of this year’s production by Bingley youth theatre Kaleidoscope.

The group – the junior arm of Bingley Little Theatre – will present David Calcutt’s play Salem on March 30 and 31 and April 1.

Salem, directed by Sally Edwards and with original music by Katy Gaul, will be at Bingley Arts Centre nightly at 7.30pm.

The events focus on the timing 1692 when 19 people were executed for witchcraft and the village of Salem was engulfed in fear.

The play asks: was this the truth behind events in Salem? What was at the heart of the accusations, and how did the hysteria take such a firm hold on the community?

The dangers of going along with the crowd are explored in a spine-chilling rendition of events.

A Kaleidoscope spokesman said: “After last year’s successful production of Nil Desperandum, we are into much darker territory for our 2017 production. Despite its setting of the 17th century, our young people have not had to look too far to see the relevance of the themes of Salem in contemporary society.

“Our large cast of 55 have risen to the challenge in producing this serious drama but have enjoyed themselves in rehearsal very much.

“It has been very rewarding, as always, to collaborate with Katy Gaul on the production in bringing this play to the stage. Her talents add so much to any production and to the experience of our youth cast.”

Sally Edwards has taught drama at Kaleidoscope for the past ten years, writing and directing several performances. Katy Gaul has been musical director for Kaleidoscope productions since 2007, composing music for several productions.

The cast of 55 is mostly drawn from the Bingley and Shipley areas, including Baildon, Nab Wood, Cottingley, Windhill, Harden, Wilsden and East Morton.

Visit bingleylittletheatre.co.uk or call 01274 567983 to book tickets.