Talented school children from across the region brought Shakespeare to life when they took to the Hartlepool stage.

Around 200 youngsters from six North East schools, including three in Hartlepool, showed off their acting skills by staging scenes from Macbeth at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.

The schools are all part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) Associate Schools Programme, which exists to bring the Bard to disadvantaged areas.

Pupils put on a showstopping performance for a packed audience of family members following months of hard work behind the scenes with RSC mentors.

Pupils perform scenes inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth at Hartlepool Town Hal Theatre in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

placeholder image — Pupils perform scenes inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth at Hartlepool Town Hal Theatre in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Paul Ainsworth, from the programme, said: "The RSC works with 280 schools around the country and this is one of 26 play making festivals this year.

“This afternoon is a celebration of lots of hard work from young people and teachers who work in schools across the Hartlepool cluster of associate schools.”

St Cuthbert’s, Throston and Kingsley primary schools in Hartlepool took centre stage alongside others from Stockton, Billingham and Bishop Auckland.

For many of the youngsters involved, it was their first time performing on stage.

Pupils of all ages and abilities got to perform on stage.

St Cuthbert’s headteacher Joanne Wilson said: “It’s all about bringing Shakespeare to the masses and making it accessible to children at all levels.

"Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre were really great and allowed us to perform there. We were really proud of the children and it meant children of all abilities could take part.

"We feel it’s a little jewel in Hartlepool’s crown.”

Ms Wilson said the programme has also boosted pupils’ speech and writing in the classroom.