FOUR youth companies from the East of England are putting on three different plays at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans next week. Following the success of last year s Shakespeare Schools Festival, it is the turn of 16 to 21-year-olds who have been invited t

FOUR youth companies from the East of England are putting on three different plays at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans next week.

Following the success of last year's Shakespeare Schools Festival, it is the turn of 16 to 21-year-olds who have been invited to form their own companies to direct, produce and perform specially-adapted scripts of the Bard's work.

Groups are travelling from as far afield as Frinton-on-Sea and St Neots for the festival which can be seen on the evenings of March 18 and 19.

The Abbey Theatre at Westminster Lodge is hosting two versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice.

All the plays are shortened versions of the originals with two young theatre companies appearing at each performance.

The young people will present their own unique interpretations of Shakespeare, including an all-female cast for one of the productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Further information is available via the website www.syf.uk.com and to book tickets for the performances contact the Abbey Theatre box office on 01727 857861 or online at www.abbeytheatre.org.uk