LOS ANGELES -- A poem by the late James Dickey, Bronwen, The Traw, and the Shape-Shifter , has been turned into an hour-long children's play with music by the Theatre West Youth Theatre. It will have its world premiere on Sun. Feb. 1 at 12.30 PM and will be performed every Sunday thereafter until March 8.

Dickey, best known for his novel and Oscar-winning screenplay Deliverance, won the National Book Award for his volume of poetry Buckdancer's Choice.

Director/producer John Gallogly describes Bronwen as "a story told through verse and music of a young girl's battle with the dark forces of the night, aided by flying squirrels, the magic of her own heart, and the light of her own courage."

Bridget Hanley plays the girl; Nicholas Pike contributes original music and sound.

Dickey, Gallogly and Hanley previously collaborated on May Day Sermon, for which Hanley received a Drama-Logue award. Theatre West is at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W. in Los Angeles. All seats $8. Call (213) 851- 7977.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent