receive a cultural boon with plans by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to premier new plays in Newcastle.

Geordie writer Lee Hall, who wrote the screenplay for Billy Elliott, has been commissioned by the RSC to rework the medieval mystery plays, to launch in the city later this year.

RSC artistic director Adrian Noble said: "I am determined that the RSC launches work in Newcastle. Let's get the critics up here and let Newcastle audiences see our work first.

"Our commitment to the city and the region is one of the rocks on which we will build a new RSC."

RSC spokesman Philippa Harland said new plays originating in the region would be given first performances here, and other new plays will be produced here while the RSC's Other Place theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is rebuilt.

She said Newcastle would also be a showcase of the work of the RSC's planned academy, a training scheme for young classical actors and directors.

Ms Harland said: "The RSC has been presenting an extended season in Newcastle for the last 25 years. But new ideas for its annual residency include a new summer school. It will be aimed at mainly teachers of the arts in the region and will include a series of workshops and lectures to show them how to reinvigorate among pupils in Shakespeare."

The RSC has also shown its commitment to the region by backing the Newcastle-Gateshead bid to be European capital of culture in 2008.