Inspirational thespians wowed the crowds as they took part in the largest youth theatre festival in the world.

For the sixth year in a row, students from Westfield Arts College performed in the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival.

The international festival allows students from primary, secondary and special schools from across the UK to perform an abridged 30 minute version of one of Shakespeare’s plays on a professional stage.

The cast was made up of Yr 10, 11 and sixth form students who performed Macbeth at Weymouth Pavilion.

The lead roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were played by Brennan Richmond and Phebe Siddons, Banquo by Ben Wheelhouse and the vengeful Macduff by Greg Hoskins.

Westfield Head Teacher Seán Kretz said the whole cast gave outstanding performances and there was even a guest appearance from an ex-pupil, who returned to support the cast.

Westfield students did not just shine on stage as the lighting and sound for the entire show was controlled by the school’s technical team, made up of students Kieran Davis and Nathan Roberts.

Westfield is a special school for children and young people with moderate and complex learning difficulties and on the night the pupils performed alongside three mainstream schools.

Mr Kretz said the enthusiasm and hard work of the school’s students made for an amazing final performance.

He said: “We are so proud of all the students who performed. The acting and staging was superb, and the students have been inspirational, showing just what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

“I am so grateful to their drama teacher, Mandy Gould, and our theatre technician, Chris Smith, for motivating the students and allowing them to believe in themselves. They performed with passion and conviction.”

“It was a fantastic occasion. Huge congratulations to the cast for an amazing performance.”