A celebration of Shakespeare plus a moving and funny drama about a grandson looking after his grandmother who has dementia are the upcoming dramatic highlights at Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre and Cramphorn Studio.

‘The Shakespeare Schools Festival’ will be taking place at The Civic Theatre on Monday 12 November at 7pm. Now in its 18th year the festival has 30,000 participants, 1,000 schools and involves 136 theatres across the UK. This year three local schools will present their abridged productions of the Bard’s greatest works.

Vamos Theatre returns to Chelmsford when they bring ‘Finding Joy’ to the Cramphorn Studio on November 6 at 8pm. Vamos are famed for their full mask productions.

Visit chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres.