THE mysteries of the places and landscapes will be explored in a series of new plays coming to the region.

The cycle of six new plays called The Mysteries have been developed by Sam Pritchard And Chris Thorpe as a Royal Exchange Theatre production.

Part 2 - inspired by Mr Thorpe's time in Staindrop - will be coupled with Part 6: Manchester and performed at at Scarth Hall, in Staindrop, tonight and tomorrow,

The plays are described as "warm, witty and epic in scale" and inspired by the village itself.

In Staindrop, three old friends confront how ancestry and tradition shape the way they live now.

Other towns include Eskdale, Whitby, Boston, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, with each touring that community before being taken to the Royal Exchange Theatre, in Manchester, where all six plays can be seen from October 25 to November 11.

The cast includes Nigel Barrett, Benjamin Cawley, Nadia Clifford, Laurietta Essien, Hannah Ringham and Andrew Sheridan

  • Tickets cost £7 and can be bought in Staindrop Post Office or by calling 0161-8339833 or by visiting royalexchange.co.uk