THE love of theatre and watching theatre seats increasingly remain empty has prompted a young Pretoria-based actress to start a facebook theatre group.

THE love of theatre and watching theatre seats increasingly remain empty has prompted a young Pretoria-based actress to start a facebook theatre group.

Lopang Molope, pictured, an actress, says young people still shun theatre.

"And this is not their fault. It is just that they are not aware that theatre is another alternative form of entertainment. If they go to the theatre it is often to a big Broadway production, and these are always a drawcard," she says.

This has prompted her to start a facebook theatre group called Lopang on Broadway.

Though its appeal has not yet made a big difference in terms of attracting a massive following, numbers are increasing significantly among the youth.

Having started off with just 40 members, the membership currently stands at about 200 people. These are ordinary members of the public who are now being exposed to an alternative form of entertainment.

"What I do on the page is to give people information about productions that are taking place around the country with as reviews and information about the director.

"The Market Theatre and the South Africa State Theatre have responded positively to this initiative after being approached.

"They have given me 25 complimentary tickets to give to the first 25 members of the group to respond," she says.

The tickets are for the opening of night of The Lion and the Lamb, which stars John Kani and opens today (Wednesday) at the Market Theatre.

Molope says members of the group do not just watch the play and then head home.

"They also have an opportunity to mingle with the actors and guests and have after-play drinks.

"This is really an alternative form of entertainment instead of people dating in clubs and restaurants," she said.

Molope made a name for herself in quality productions such as Skin Deep by Bongani Linda, and Hamlet by Paul Grootboom, among others.