The Wells Theatre Festival, known for its commitment to the performing arts, is set to entertain and inspire with a series of children's theatre productions. The festival collaborates closely with local schools to bring pupils to live performances, charging only £5 per child, with teachers admitted free of charge. This year, attendees can look forward to two exceptional performances.

AKA Dance Theatre Company from Taunton will showcase their family-friendly dance show Shed-ache at the Bandstand on Wells Recreation Ground.

Additionally, Exeter's Ayodele Scott and David Evans will present Native Wit, a play exploring their childhood experiences in colonial West Africa, featuring a unique blend of drumming, song, and physical theatre.

Ros Johnson, Artistic Director of the Wells Theatre Festival, highlighted the transformative impact of theatre on young people.

"We at the Wells Theatre Festival understand through years of experience both as theatre professionals and teachers of drama, the transformational experience that theatre can be for young people. Drama helps us make sense of the world around us and opens our horizons beyond the school curriculum," she said. "We have some amazing shows coming to the festival including the two school shows.

"Unfortunately, this year, schools are struggling to find the resources to get the children to the Festival. We keep the cost of tickets as low as we can to be accessible but it's often the cost of transport that is keeping schools away. A return coach trip for a class of children from our surrounding towns and villages is prohibitively high. We are so grateful to our amazing sponsors for this year's Festival but we need more support from local businesses this year and in future years to make sure our children don't miss out."

In a further bid to enrich local education, this year's community theatre highlight is Macbeth by William Shakespeare, a vital part of the national GCSE curriculum. Johnson elaborates on the importance of experiencing Shakespeare live: "While Shakespeare is often taught to a high standard in schools, ultimately the plays were not written to be read, they were written to be seen. Our production of Macbeth in the Bishop's Barn will bring the text to life for students, offering them the opportunity to get to grips with this extraordinary play ahead of their exams."

For more details and to book tickets, visit the festival's website at www.wellstheatrefestival.org.uk.