With drama advisers an almost extinct species, it can be a hit-and-miss operation for schools that are looking for quality performances, workshops, residencies or in-service training for teachers. But for the London region, there’s good news. Theatre Line is a new database of theatre practitioners working in and for schools and colleges in and around London, run by the Association of Professional Theatre for Children and Young People (APT) and supported by the London Arts Board. To use Theatre Line, just telephone 0171 240 8488. The line is staffed on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10.30am to 2pm and 3.30pm to 5pm. An answerphone takes messages at other times.

ReCreation Theatre Company presents its third adaptation of a Jane Austen novel with Persuasion. The production features original, live music based on 18th century sea shanties and costumes inspired by naval uniforms of the Napoleonic wars. The play tours stately homes and theatres until the end of July. For schedule details, ring Communique Arts Publicity on 0171 278 3537.

There’s no London International Festival of Theatre this year, but there is Out of LIFT, a season of productions and events organised by LIFT. Among the events scheduled are daily dialogues every evening from 5pm to 6.30pm in the week beginning June 17. Of particular interest are “Letting Go”, a discussion of the process of creating performance, responsibility and power, chaired by Michael Marland, headteacher of North Westminster Community School, and “Monsters Under the Bed”, featuring Tim Supple of the Young Vic talking about whether disturbing issues should be confronted in theatre for young audiences. All talks take place at the Young Vic, 66 The Cut, London SE1. For a schedule and bookings, ring 0171 928 6363.

Out of LIFT also has Theatre- rites’ Houseworks, featuring a house in which things are not what they appear, for under-fives and their families. From June 14 to 16. Ring the box office number above.

One of the theatrical highlights of Out of Lift is pyrotechnician Christophe Berthonneau’s performance The Factory of Dreams in Brockwell Park on June 14 and 15. The event involves floating structures, light projections, sculptures, music and, to top it off, a massive firework finale.

The Factory of Dreams has been five months in the making, during which time Berthonneau has worked with various British artists and 120 13-year-olds from Stockwell Park School. Tickets are available only from noon on the days of the performances at the Dulwich Road entrances of Brockwell Park. The performances begin at 9.30pm.

Arabica, a new musical about coffee, by the two teachers who wrote Yanomano, will be performed by more than 150 school students at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, on May 27. Details: 0171 960 4242.