Young performers in Bradford and its twin city of Hamm have joined forces for a new musical being performed in both English and German.

The youngsters will be honoured at a civic reception at City Hall on the day the show, called Alpha Code Two-Zero-One-Zero, is performed here next month.

It is the culmination of a two-year project celebrating the European Capital of Culture 2010 title awarded to the Rhine Valley in Germany.

Young people at Idle theatre school Stage 84 are among 70 performers, aged between 15 and 25, taking part in the show written by Michael Imberg, musical director of the Music and Dance Theatre Company in Hamm.

The show, which has been translated into English, follows an expedition in the Asian Desert, on the trail of Alexander The Great.

When the explorers discover a strange monolith engraved with mysterious symbols they are catapulted back in time where they meet the friendly Ead Dener from an alien planet, the Danaer. The explorers learn surprising things about human nature and their own strengths and weaknesses.

“We were introduced to the Hamm theatre school when we performed The Wizard of Oz over there two years ago,” said Stage 84 principal Valerie Jackson.

“We were delighted to be invited to take part in this new project, which involves young people from three cities – Bradford, Hamm and Arnhem in Holland.

“Last year German and Dutch students came over here to work on the production, then our principal actors travelled to Hamm to record a CD of the music. They are flying back there on March 28 for final rehearsals, then taking part in the Hamm production on March 31. The German and Dutch youngsters are then coming over here.

“The students have become good friends now. They have been working on this for two years. It has been an interesting experience for us all, and something our students will never forget.”

* Alpha Code Two-Zero-One-Zero is at King’s Hall, Ilkley, on Saturday, April 3. For tickets call (01274) 432000.