STUDENTS from Maryland, USA, are joining together with local youngsters as part of a week-long international youth theatre festival.

The project involves around 30 English and American students, aged between 11-18 years, who are being tasked with creating a show from start to finish that will be showcased to a public audience at Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal from August 6 to 11.

‘Being’ is a contemporary adaptation based on the gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and explores what makes a monster and what makes a man. It will be performed on Saturday, August 11 at 7.30pm.

The festival is the result of an initiative between the Georgian Theatre Royal and the Performing and Visual Arts High School Magnet Program of Anne Arundel County in Maryland and is now in its fourth successful year.

Dana Parsons from Anne Arundel County Public School said. “It is an incredibly valuable experience for students from both countries to work together. They are learning so much from each other and are totally committed to producing an exciting final performance piece and accompanying arts exhibition.”

“For the Maryland group, it is also amazing to work and rehearse in this beautiful old theatre that is unlike anything that we have seen before. We are all really looking forward to performing for real on its historic stage,” she added

Tickets for the show are all £5 and are available from the box office on 01748-825252 or www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk.