A FESTIVAL of youth drama is being held in the North-East next month.

It is hoped stars of the future will be among the young actors and crew chosen to produce and perform at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, from May 20 to 22.

Produced by the National Theatre, the programme was established 12 years ago and gives 13 to 19-year-olds the chance to work on challenging new plays on stage and behind the scenes.

Now in its third year of partnership with Shell UK, Shell Connections commissions hour-long plays for and about young people.

Each year, some of the country's best writers are asked by the National Theatre to write plays for Shell Connections.

This year's team of writers includes Geoffrey Case, Isabel Wright, Mark Ravenhill, Deborah Gearing and Enda Walsh.

Nicholas Hytner, the director of the National Theatre, said : "Shell Connections is a seismic boom of activity that challenges and pushes the boundaries of theatre on an enormous scale."

Tickets for all shows, are £4.50, with concessions available, on 0870 905 5060.