TALENTED youngsters will tread the boards at a showcase of their stage skills this week.

Schools across Durham are staging a variety show to herald inclusivity, with an anti-discrimination theme.

Performers from secondary and primary schools are honing their acts ready for the show, at The Assembly Rooms, in Durham, on Thursday May 21.

It features music, singing, dancing, speeches, poetry and much more, all on the theme of equality.

Titled, Durham Schools’ Showcase, it has been organised by Educate & Celebrate, a national charity dedicated to making schools LGBT+-friendly.

The acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Durham County Council is helping to promote the event as Elly Barnes, the charity’s chief executive, is a special advisor to the authority, helping to tackle discrimination in schools across the county.

She said it is important for schools to participate in and support the production.

“I’ve organised similar school showcases in other regions and they have been inspiring and joyous occasions, almost a ‘Students’ Got Talent!’

“Educate & Celebrate uses books and music on a daily basis as resources to enable schools to create inclusive environments for all students, so it’s a natural progression to turn this approach into a show.

“It’s a fun way to encourage schools to celebrate diverse families and become more familiar with the language of the LGBT community, as well as challenge and eradicate homophobic bullying.”

The show venue, the Assembly Rooms, usually the home of Durham Student Theatre group, is in 40 North Bailey, near the cathedral.

Curtain up is at 6.30pm for what is expected to be a two hour show.

Although it is free to attend, seats can be reserved in advance by emailing enquiries@educateandcelebrate.org, with further details from the theatre, on 0191-334 1419.