While cinemas are packed with teenagers every week, opera, ballet and theatre productions are still mainly attracting an older audience – despite stories involving murder, passion, violence and romance.

Now youngsters could be offered free tickets to attract them to the arts as part of a multi-million pound government initiative.

Culture secretary Andy Burnham has unveiled a new £2.5 million scheme which aims to give out one million free theatre tickets to under 26-year olds across England.

The project, which was announced by Mr Burnham during the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, will launch in February for a two-year pilot with 95 venues across the country expected to be involved.

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Today, youngsters at Orton Longueville School said they felt theatre was too "old fashioned" for their age group.

Lydia Mkhwananzi (15) said: "I think I would go, but it would depend on the plays being given a modern twist, like the Romeo and Juliet film that was made.

"I have seen a few of the plays on television, and they seem all right though."

Nichola Stephens (15) added: "If they promoted the theatre differently, and made it not as glamorous, but like a 'normal night out' like going to the cinema, then more youngsters might go."

While the final details of the new initiative have not been released, artistic director at the Key Theatre Michael Cross said it was something he would look at applying for later in the year.

He said: "Young theatre goers are not regular theatre goers, and I think it is a generational thing.

"I am not sure whether the scheme will address the fundamental problem, or whether free tickets will attract more children to the theatre, but it is certainly something we will look at."

Chairman of Peterborough Opera Clive Morton who is preparing to put on a production of Carmen at the Key Theatre next month, said youngsters needed to be introduced to the arts at an early age.

The group was in Queensgate shopping centre on Sunday, to try and reach a wider audience. Mr Morton said: "If young people were more familiar with the plots, things like opera might be very attractive to a younger audience than we normally get."

Chief executive of The Cressett Julian Stanley said: "I think it's a very welcome scheme, there are lots of children in Peterborough who don't get the opportunity to see shows, and we would welcome the chance to give them free tickets. We are now looking forward to hearing how the Government or the Arts Council plans to do that."

YOUR SHOUT on free theatre tickets:
Annabelle Foulkes-Arnold (15), of Catherine Close, Orton Longueville, Peterborough: "I think I would go if there was a more modern twist, and the stories were updated. But I would go if there were free tickets."

Luke Smith (16), of The Gannocks, Orton Waterville, Peterborough: "It would help if there was more comedy. I think you also have to be interested in the theatre. I guess some things appeal to different groups."

Sam Beagley (15), of Silver Street, Orton Longueville, Peterborough: "I like going to the theatre anyway, but I think it would appeal to more youngsters if they had experience of it at school. People don't know what to expect."

Mica Chaney (15), of Glebe Avenue, Orton Waterville, Peterborough: "I would like to go to the theatre, and would encour- age my friends to go if I had free tickets. I think that you would be more involved in the story if you are closer to the stage."