More stars but fewer RSC plays.

(From The Northern Echo)

Byline: STEVE PRATT

Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame; comic actress Tamsin Greig and Casualty star Patrick Robinson are among the well-known names coming to Newcastle for this autumn's Royal Shakespeare Company season. But STEVE PRATT discovers that the impact of producing all the Bard's works at Stratford has reduced the Tyneside season to four works

STAR Trek and X-Men star Patrick Stewart returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company and Newcastle in the 2006 North-East season. The season also sees Tamsin Greig, star of C4's cult comedy Green Wing and Debbie in Radio 4's The Archers, make her RSC debut.

But the Newcastle season is smaller than in previous years. Only four productions will transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon - with two being presented at the Theatre …