Students in Hartlepool are helping to bring the magic of the theatre to a new exhibition.

They have been recreating the stage areas of a Greek Ampitheatre, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and a lavish Victorian theatre ready for the CentreStage exhibition, which opens at Hartlepool Art Gallery in April.

Using costumes, props, memorabilia and special effects, CentreStage explores the development of the theatre from its earliest days to the Victorian era.

The exhibition has been organised by Hartlepool Borough Council's arts and museum's service, in partnership with Cleveland College of Art.

One highlight of the show is three stages, where visitors will be able to put on costumes and try their hand at acting in plays from different historical periods.

Students on the college's entertainment design crafts degree course, together with their lecturers, have spent months designing and constructing the stages.

They have recreated everything from Greek columns and Tudor curtains to costumes, including mysterious masks and striped music hall tailcoats.

Naomi Beeley, of the arts and museums service, said: "CentreStage will bring the curtain up on the golden age of the theatre and will explore how theatre has grown and developed over the centuries, reflecting the social, cultural and political values of the times."

CentreStage runs at Hartlepool Art Gallery from April 12 to June 15 and admission is free.

It will also include a series of workshops for schools and organisations, for details contact (01429) 890000.