THE artistic director of Keswick's Theatre by the Lake has agreed to select the three winning scripts in a new writing competition.

Ian Forrest says he is looking forward to unearthing new writing talent in Cumbria and is urging entrants to think “theatrically” and write deliberately for the stage, not television or radio.

North Cumbria Scriptwriters is looking for original one-act plays to be performed in the Studio at the Theatre by the Lake next spring.

The challenge is to choose an existing poem (not by the competition entrant) and create a 30-minute script for performance inspired by it. Three of the submitted plays will be chosen to be performed by local theatre groups.

"It’s always great to find new talent and to involve local writers in a project," said Ian. "I think this is quite unique - I haven’t heard of plays with poems before."

For more, visit www.northcumbriascriptwriters99.blogspot.co.uk - closing date for entries August 31.