A NORTH-EAST theatre group is bringing to life a story of Captain James Cook's seafaring adventures as part of the Tall Ships event.

Performers from three over eden, who can be seen in the horror film The Descent, are interpreting Bob Beagrie's Endeavour poem to mark the arrival of the ships in Newcastle.

The poem tells the story of Cook's adventure through the eyes of an enlisted North-East seaman and will be part of the Festival of Rivers and the Sea at the Literary and Philosophical Society, in Newcastle.

Les Simpson, 39, from Eston, near Middlesbrough, said: "The poem ties in perfectly with the arrival of the Tall Ships, and the performance involves plenty of jumping around and naked bodies."

The actor is also starring as a cannibal in The Descent after he was seen by its director, Neil Marshall, when the group were in a play in Hexham, Northumberland

He won the part along with two other actors from the group, Mark Cronfield and Stephen Lamb.

He said: "I have worked with Neil before on Dog Soldiers and he saw us performing and thought we would be ideal as the demons.

"It was an excellent experience and great fun working on the film."

Performances of Endeavour will take place next Tuesday and on Friday, July 29, at 7pm and 8.15pm, at the society, in Westgate Road. People are recommended to pay a donation of at least £5. The society can be contacted on 0191-232 0192.

Published: 20/07/2005