WINCHESTER'S answer to the Royal Shakespeare Company has taken to the stage at the city's theatre Royal.

Drama students from Peter Symonds College in Romsey Road put on a public performance of Edward Bond's Restoration as part of their AS Level coursework.

Teacher Wendy Arrowsmith said: "The costume performance, with a live college jazz band, was amusing and stimulating."

A group of 50 drama and theatre studies students performed a play at the theatre as part of their coursework.

The theatre's education manager, Nicola Peacock, said: "The Theatre Royal is pleased to have a continuing relationship with Peter Symonds.

"Our aim is to enable the students to present work in a fully professional theatre setting and we're delighted that this year's show was a success.''