A THEATRE will go back to its roots with readings from little-known 18th Century plays.

Restoring the Repertoire is a series of three readings of the sort of performances that would have been staged when Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal opened in 1788.

Actors from the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk, will perform the pieces at the venue in March, April and June.

The series is a highlight of the spring and summer programme, which was launched this week.

The Shakespeare Schools' Festival starts the new season on February 7 and the Bard's The Tempest will close it in June.

In between, productions include tributes to Queen and Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Dramas include Dylan Thomas: Return Journey, Trollope's Barchester Towers and The Truman Capote Talk Show, and there will be regular music and comedy offerings.

Two local amateur groups will also stage their productions during the season -Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society will perform Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit and the town's operatic society offers Calamity Jane.

Richmond School's performing arts students will stage an evening of three plays, including Aristophanes' The Assemblywomen.

Programmes are available from the theatre, Richmond tourist information centre and local shops.