DRAMA companies from across the North-East will be competing at a festival in Saltburn later this month.

Saltburn’s Drama Festival will see well-known amateur groups from around the region take to the stage across three nights of live theatre.

As part of the event, five groups will compete for a semi-final place at the prestigious All England Theatre Festival.

Sheenah Taylor, chair of the Saltburn Drama Festival, said: “Competition is fierce – the standard is very high with each company having to abide by the strict rules of the festival.

“Each play must be performed in one hour. It demands a very creative approach – from the writing right through to staging – but it does produce some very exciting theatre.”

The event will culminate with an awards evening organisers have dubbed the Oscars of the North.

Ms Taylor said: “I would urge people to come along to as many evenings as they can and help celebrate the huge talent we have in the North East.

“It’s a great excuse to get dressed up and watch some really great performances from local singers, musicians and improve acts.”

The festival will be staged from Wednesday, March 15 at Saltburn’s Community Theatre.

Acts include Cresta and Bananadrama from Scarborough, Northallerton’s Allerton Players, Holmside Productions from Durham and the 53 Drama Group from Saltburn.

Tickets are £5 to £7 per evening, or £12 to £18 for the full event. To book, visit saltburnarts.co.uk.