PROVOCATIVE, entertaining and engaging theatre will take centre stage this weekend as a major festival gets underway in the North-East.

The Jabberwocky Market festival was launched in Darlington today (Thursday, October 2), returning to the town for the third time with a world-class line up of small scale theatre.

The festival, named in honour of Croft-born author Lewis Carroll, will see a wide variety of performances staged in venues across the town until Sunday, October 5.

Colourfully-costumed dancers got the festival underway today when they took over the Cattle Market with the wintry fairytale Solas Fae while Fish/Girl, an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid entertained families at Polam Hall school.

On Saturday, audiences can enjoy Darlington-born Gary Kitching’s show Dead to Me, which received rave reviews at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival while children can follow the story of the Incredible Book Eating Boy on Sunday.

Producer Caroline Pearce, from Darlington, said the multi-award winning and provocative show Ballad of the Burning Star was a big coup for the town and a highlight of the festival.

She said: “It’s a really big, high-impact show from an international company coming to Darlington – it’s very exciting.”

She added: “No matter what show audiences see, they will be moved, there’s nothing neutral at all.

“They’ll have their eyes opened and this is something unusual for Darlington – people who know about theatre are very excited to have companies and shows like this coming to the town and those who don’t know much can enjoy dipping their toes in and finding out more.”

The festival’s eclectic programme also features a host of creative workshops, activities and discussion panels.

Shows will be staged at venues including the town’s market place, the Voodoo Cafe, Crown Street Library and Polam Hall’s Liddiard Theatre.

Tickets range in price but can be obtained online, at the door or by contacting venues.

Suspended tickets, which are given to those who otherwise would not be able to afford a ticket, can also be purchased.

For more information, a full programme of events and ticket booking, visit jabberwockymarket.org.uk.

The festival, created by North-East producers, is supported by partners including Arts Council England and Battersea Arts Centre.