YOUNGSTERS from a theatre group, who have persisted through the past year to rehearse and put on plays when they could, are now preparing for a celebratory festival.

The undaunted teens from The Festival Players have spent much of the past year using Zoom calls to prepare for the productions that managed to go ahead.

Eric Jones, who directs the group, even managed to get permission for eight drama students to be examined for their acting exams during lockdown on Zoom calls – with them all passing with merits or distinctions.

Now the talented group of young drama enthusiasts and students have organised The Evesham Weekend Festival which is being held this July. Four events are planned for mid-July, safely performed outdoors, with sensible audience numbers.

The first night is ‘Kings, Teens and Tyrants’, an evening of drama excerpts, comic and dramatic, from Shakespeare to Noel Coward. The evening takes place at Hampton Ferry from 7pm on July 16. Tickets cost £8 from The Evesham Almonry or from Eric Jones on 01386 48788.

The rest of the weekend is free, with performances on a stage erected in The Town Square.

There will be a children’s entertainment on Saturday, July 17, at 2pm and again at 4pm - Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Funky Pigs presented by Theatre2U.

On Saturday evening Bandwagon Productions brings the Blockbuster music of the Movies to Evesham Town Square at 7.30pm.

And on Sunday, July 18, Music all the Way, at 7.30pm features local bands, musicians and singers on the town square stage including ‘tfo’ Jazz Band, and winners of The W-Factor.

The audience is encouraged to bring a chair and picnic to enjoy the outdoor performances.

Eric Jones said he, and The Festival Players, were “delighted” to be able to bring this event to the town adding he hoped as many people as possible will come along and celebrate, enjoying the music and words.