AN award-winning theatre festival returns to a North-East town this weekend with acts from around the country taking part.

Jabberwocky Market, which is being held at several venues around Darlington, runs until Sunday.

Venues include the Liddiard Theatre at Polam Hall school, Quaker Meeting House and Inside Out.

Highlights of the festival include "Wot? No Fish!!!", which follows the story of Danny Braverman, who discovered thousands of wage packets, on which his great uncle drew sketches showing the ups and downs life for a Jewish family living in 20th century London.

The Northern Echo: JABBERWOCKY: Major theatrical festival Jabberwocky Market launches a ‘festival hub’ as countdown to the October festival begins, pictured Poet Nader Al Hussein (10523069)
FLASHBACK: Poet Nader Al Hussein at a previous Jabberwocky

Beats North, taking place at the Quaker Meeting House on Saturday afternoon, focuses on two Northern boys, Jack and Al, and the way music has influenced their lives.

This Is How We Die by Christopher Brett Bailey, at Inside Out on Saturday evening, is for older audiences telling stories of paranoia, young love and violence.

One of the family shows is At the End of Everything Else, which will be performed twice on Sunday at the Mercure Kings Hotel – the story of Icka, a young girl who sets off on a mission to find her best friend, a yellow bird named Tito that has gone missing.

Festival producer Caroline Pearce said: "We decided on the shows because we were really very lucky and had the opportunity to book them – they all come to us with phenomenal audience responses from around the world and we are all just really excited to see them, and to be able to bring them to Darlington.

"We have been able to support the launch of a new initiative for Darlington in the shape of Kids Gigs, which sold out really quickly and has proven a massive demand for high quality performance for youngsters."

"We just feel really fortunate to be in a position to bring truly world class shows and events to the communities we care about."

Kids Gigs is a show for families with young children who have a passion for creating live music.

As well as the main shows, there are also several workshops and talks over the course over the weekend, including Jabbering Theatre club, which allows members of the audience to talk about their opinion of the shows.

There will also be a teachers’ masterclass at Quaker Meeting House on Saturday, giving teachers and lecturers the chance to share ideas and gain new skills.

Jabberwocky Market was first launched in October 2013 and is currently in its fifth season, with two events being held each year.

For more information on the event and to book tickets, visit jabberwockymarket.org.uk