The stage looks set for a blossoming of talent from young people, with over 70 youth drama and dance groups listed in a new edition of the Irish Theatre Handbook.

There has been significant growth in theatre, particularly in the performing arts infrastructure, according to editor Loughlin Deegan. The book lists 94 professionally managed venues as evidence of growth in the last two to three years - in 1998 there were just 51. Theatre companies listed total 151.

The handbook includes a section on accredited courses in drama and dance training available in Ireland and Britain. It lists courses which are at least one year in duration and offer official accreditation from a recognised body. It also includes a number of exceptions where courses are of major significance to the sector.

"The reference-books section provides a somewhat eclectic list designed to suggest additional reading material and extra sources for information," Deegan says.

The book also details festivals and gives the key names, addresses and phone and fax numbers for each one. "The demand for productions from new venues has contributed very much to the growth and importance of fringe theatre," Deegan says. There is a section on scholarships and bursaries as well as information on youth theatres and dance groups.

"It's the one published book which puts all the information together," says Gerry Barnes, director of Cork Opera House, who attended the book's launch in Dublin's Project theatre.