DRAMA students have staged an innovative interpretation of Shakespeare’s 1592 history play Richard lll.

Pupils from Ormiston Chadwick Academy, formerly Bankfield School, performed at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool as part of the annual Shakespeare Schools Festival.

Paul Kennedy, head of drama, said: “We are very pleased to have the support of Richard Van Allen who is chairman of the Richard lll society.

“The 30-minute adaptation centred on how Shakespeare was influenced by Tutor propaganda to demonise Richard.”

Students from their sister school in Runcorn, Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, also took part in the festival.

They presented their own unique version of Macbeth in 30 minutes.

The two productions were performed again at the school in Murdishaw on Wednesday.