THE country's highest profile children's theatre festival opens in the North-East today - but the organiser says drama projects are still being ignored by the UK's education authorities.
Darlington-based CTC Theatre has raised £45,000 in funding from the Tees Valley for the Takeoff 2005 Festival, based at the Arc, in Stockton.
But project co-ordinator Anna Dixon-Dawson said that no education managers had accepted invitations to attend the event.
The celebration of children's theatre, with 11 national and international companies staging shows, has attracted 35 delegates, including Charles Hart, theatre officer for Arts Council England.
Ms Dixon-Dawson said: "I was surprised how resistant the education authorities seem to be to the theatre people.
"I've been inviting them all but nobody has replied yet."
CTC has successfully marketed the festival to Tees Valley area schools. Teachers are also attending workshop discussions and performances.
Public performances start at the Arc at 1pm today, with three shows tomorrow and three on Saturday. For details call (01642) 525199 www.ctc theatre.org.uk
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