THE director of a theatre company has praised rural halls for keeping drama alive.

Director of Cumbria's Quondam National Touring Andy Booth praised venues ahead of its latest production, Top Banana, a political satire starring Fine Time Fontayne, on Thursday at 7.30pm in Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

It was performed in Barnard Castle last month. Tickets are £6, concessions £5, from (01388) 602610.