THE curtain is ready to rise on a season of outdoor drama.

There will be performances at Gisborough Priory and in the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum.

Oddsocks will bring Romeo and Juliet to Kirkleatham for four nights - Wednesday, July 16, to Saturday, July 19 - at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 and £4.50 concessions.

Illyria bring two outdoor productions to the Priory, performing The Merchant of Venice on Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, at 7.30pm, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves on Wednesday, August 13, with 2pm and 7pm performances. Tickets for both shows are £8 and £4.50.

Tickets for all outdoor performances are available from the council's Tourist Information Centres at Saltburn, Redcar and Guisborough. For further details see the web site, www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk