The Shakespeare Schools Festival - the UK’s largest youth drama project - has returned to its roots for its 10th anniversary.

At the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Tuesday and Wednesday (November 2nd and 3rd) pupils from six Pembrokeshire schools will be performing half-hour adaptations of some of the Bard’s greatest plays.

The Festival - which began in Pembrokeshire in 2000 - now attracts entries from over 13,000 students in 650 schools from Scotland to the Channel Islands who perform in 80 professional theatres.

It has also spread overseas to South Africa and Australia.

Apart from giving young people of every background and ability the opportunity to perform plays in their local theatres, it also allows teachers to train as directors.

Taking part in the festival for the first time ever next week is Portfield School in Haverfordwest which caters for young people with special education needs.

They will be giving their own twist to A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

“Around a dozen or so students are involved along with teacher Mrs Eileen Hughes and they are really looking forward to it,” said headteacher, Sue Painter.

“Dave Ainsworth from the Torch Theatre has been very supportive and has been holding workshops for the pupils at Portfield.”

The Festival began in Pembrokeshire in 2000, the brainchild of Chris Grace, former Director of Animation at S4C and producer of Super Ted, using scripts from the award-winning series Shakespeare – The Animated Tales.

“We started with the support of local schools and the County Council and with the help of the Torch’s Peter Doran” recalled Chris who lives near Maenclochog. “It caught on straightaway and has since become a huge success.”

Also performing at the Torch Theatre are pupils from the two Haverfordwest secondary schools, Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward and the secondary schools from Tenby, Milford Haven and Pembroke.