AMATEUR drama groups from across the region will be competing against each other in the first round of a country wide elimination contest for one-act plays.

Between April 11 to 14 the groups will battle it out at The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, for a place in the final rounds of the competition being run by the All England Theatre Festival.

Actors will perform in front of a public audience with adjudication by expert Ben Humphrey, Associate Director at the Worcester Repertory Company. Organisers say a wide range of productions will be performed, showcasing the best of the region’s talent.

Event organiser Warnock Kerr said: "This is an excellent opportunity for amateur drama groups to compete against their peers in a professional theatre setting and to benefit from expert adjudication and advice. If the standard from previous years is anything to go by, then we are in for an exciting contest."

Taking part are Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society, The Georgian Theatre Royal Youth Theatre, the Sedgefield Players and the Allerton Players.

The winners of the competition at the Georgian Theatre Royal will compete against others from the northern area at a semi-final being held on May 6 and 7 in Saltburn. The England final is in Stoke on Trent on June 2.