ASPIRING performers from across the North-East were given the chance to see the professionals in action at a youth theatre workshop.

Stage combat and improvisational skills were among the topics covered at the North-East Regional Youth Theatre Festival at Darlington’s Civic Theatre.

Dozens of young people from six stage schools across the region attended the 11-hour event, which aims to help young people share their performances and work together to come up with new ideas.

Among the professionals at the event were Gary Kitching, from Newcastle-based comedy company The Suggestibles, who taught the art of improvisation, and Tom Bellerby, from the Pilot Theatre Company, based in York, who ran a workshop on working as an ensemble.