PRIMARY school pupils have staged their own outdoor Shakespeare festival after tackling some of the Bard's most famous tales of star-crossed lovers, murder, and fantasy.

Around 120 children from three Stoke-on-Trent schools performed abridged versions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth to an audience of parents and school staff yesterday.

They ranged from traditional approaches, with youngsters memorising Shakespearean prose, to modern interpretations featuring songs and dances.

The festival was hosted by Belgrave Primary, in Longton, and brought together nine to 11-year-olds from Belgrave and two Fenton schools, Clarice Cliff Primary and Glebe Primary.

Each school chose a different play and Belgrave's adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream even included a cameo by William Shakespeare himself.

Imaan Parvez, aged 11, who played the famous playwright, said: "I had to open the play and say the opening lines. Then I came on again at the end."

He got involved through his school's drama club and the children also picked up tips from a professional company called Shakespeare 4 Kidz. Imaan said: "I thought it was going to be quite hard doing a Shakespeare play, but it's been really good."

Eleven-year-old Jessica Wrench, who was also part of the cast from Belgrave, added: "The best bit was getting to perform and to be seen by other schools."

Clarice Cliff pupils tackled Romeo and Juliet, which they turned into a rock musical, and pupils from Glebe Primary staged Macbeth. The festival was organised on the back of a Royal Shakespeare Company manifesto, aimed at getting more young people involved in performances.

John Collier, deputy head of Belgrave Primary School, said: "It's helped them explore and understand the text. It's been brilliant."

Ten-year-old Clarice Cliff pupil Matthew Wood, who played Romeo, said: "We had to audition for the roles. I hadn't done any Shakespeare before, but once I learnt the lines, it was quite easy."

Gill Latos, headteacher of Clarice Cliff Primary School, said: "It has been such a wonderful opportunity for the children."