A REAL life love story underpins a production showing at a North-East theatre this week.

Jo Herbert and David Sturzaker are the two lead actors in Eternal Love – the Story of Abelard and Heloise, which runs at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday (March 8).

The pair, who starred together in a production of Anne Boleyn, in 2012, have fallen in love in real life as well as on stage.

Eternal Love tells the story of Abelard’s wild affair with his brilliant student Heloise, giving his enemies the perfect pretext to try and destroy him.

Critics describe it as one of the world’s great love stories and a ‘play for today in medieval costume’.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2pm on Thursday and 2.30pm on Saturday.

Ticket prices vary and include a £1 theatre restoration levy.

To book, visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk or call 01325-486555.