DARLINGTON residents will have the opportunity to engage with prominent UK artists when a major festival comes to the town next week.

Artists from across the country will host a series of talks and workshops as part of the Jabberwocky Market, a festival of theatre taking place in venues around Darlington between Thursday, May 15 and Sunday, May 18.

Workshops include a B-boying session on Friday, May 16 led by dancers from the Shame production for teenagers with experience of breakdancing and a storytelling and poetry for performance session led by John Berkavitch on Saturday, May 17 for those interested in writing, poetry and performance.

Artist Jo Hellier will give a talk on Saturday, May 17 about the inspiration behind her project 97 Years, which explores topics of ageing and dementia.

On Sunday, May 18, Darlington Civic Theatre’s director Lynda Winstanley will lead a discussion with artists from the festival around the power of personal stories in theatre.

Workshops are £5 each while talks are £2, including free coffee or tea.

For more information on any of the events at the festival, visit the Hub in the Indoor Market or visit jabberwockymarket.org.uk.

Tickets for all performances can be purchased online or from the Civic Theatre box office in person or by calling 01325-486555.