A STAGE celebration of the life of Newcastle Theatre Royal's late chief executive Peter Sarah will feature stars representing the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

Lesley Joseph, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Rambert Dance Company and the original South Tyneside cast of Dirty Dusting, by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, will also perform on Sunday, June 26.

Opera North, The Northern Sinfonia, North-East star Trevor Fox, who is appearing in Billy Elliott The Musical in London, will represent Live Theatre in memory of 58-year-old Mr Sarah, who died in April.

The evening will be arranged by Tyneside-born director Michael Harrison.

Grahame Morris, acting chief executive of the Theatre Royal, said: "Peter was a true ambassador for the North-East and a key figure in its cultural regeneration.

"This unique evening is an opportunity for Peter's many friends and colleagues in the arts to join with the Theatre Royal's loyal audience in paying tribute to his distinguished career."

Peter Sarah's sister, Anne Goodridge, is travelling from Perth, in Australia, to attend.

Proceeds will establish an annual award for a performing arts student at Newcastle College, support Friends of the Theatre fundraising and assist the Theatre Royal Trust's development of premises in Market Street.

Tickets are £15. Booking Office: 0870 905 5060 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk