The Honorary French Consul for Plymouth braved the worst storms of the autumn to attend an original play at Dartmoor Prison Museum, along with other intrepid audience members.

The play, All That Was Left Behind, was written and performed by young people aged 13 to 19 from MED Theatre's Wild Nights Young Company.

It was based on real events when French prisoners performing their own play escaped from Dartmoor Prison approximately 200 years ago.

The two performances were in the unusual venue of the Dartmoor Prison Museum, with a large barn at the end being converted into a temporary theatre.

Monsieur Alain Sibiril, the Hon French Consol, said a few words at the end of the evening performance and presented the cast with a signed photo of the French memorial celebration ceremony at the prison earlier this year.

He was accompanied by local author Trevor James, who has written several books on the history of Dartmoor prison, some of which the young people used when researching the local history for the play.

The project was made possible thanks to a grant of £16,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

MED Theatre's company development officer Gillian Webster said it was rather daunting setting up while the venue was being lashed by gales and driving rain.

'We were concerned that audience members might not venture out under the circumstances. However we had a full house on Saturday evening and very good attendence for the matinee, too.

Dartmoor archaeologist Dr Tom Greeves said he was 'really impressed' with the play and performance: 'To have the French Honorary Consul there was a great touch. And it was a splendid location.'

The project brought together a number of young people from different parts of Dartmoor, who are often disadvantaged through the challenges of living in a rural area.

Lucy Connolly, a young participant, commented on how she has been affected by her involvement in the project: 'I found out a lot more about the prison than I knew before . . . I love MED; it is like a life-changer.'

For those who missed the performances, there will be a third performance at MED Theatre's Dartfest on the evening of Wednesday December 9 in Moretonhampstead Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

MED Theatre came into being 20 years ago and uses theatre as a medium to bring together children, teenagers and adults to play and work together.