Pop-Up has been working directly with young people for many years, and often talk with them about their attitudes to theatre. We have discovered that, in general, they find theatre buildings unwelcoming and sometimes intimidating, especially when compared to cinemas. Sets and props are often seen as lacking in imagination, obviously unreal, a little patronising, especially when compared to those in films or the images in computer games. Plays are often seen as being the tedious telling of a story with a predictable ending, especially when compared to the fast editing and challenging techniques of television dramas.

What particularly grips young people are dramas that realistically explore what goes on in peoples' lives. Whenever we hold play readings with good actors, relevant scripts and no costumes or props, our young audiences are transfixed. It is these views of the young people that have started us thinking of new ways to present theatre that could feed the imaginations of over 7's. Some of the plays and performances we now develop for this age-range (but also relevant to adults) rely on little other than the quality of the script, performance, music and style of presentation. Our aim is to present the majority of the performances at times when the target age-group would most want to see them - say between 4pm and 7pm - and to encourage them to attend with friends, siblings, parents or relatives.

This new style of performance has been given the name OffStreet Productions. These productions can be presented on any flat floor surface 6m x 6m as we have designed a stylish lightweight set, containing integrated plug-in light and sound units, which pops up on its floorcloth in a matter of minutes. OffStreet belongs to the space on which it sits. It may be on the top of another company's set, or in a school hall or community venue. The OffStreet set is big enough to hide what lies behind or underneath it but portable enough to come and go in minutes.

With minimal props, breath-taking music and quality performances that enhance the emotional drama of the productions, OffStreet allows audiences to immerse their imaginations in relevant dramas and innovative productions.