MEMBERS of Pegasus Youth Theatre in East Oxford have planned a new mini-festival for young people from Oxfordshire.

Their weekend programme for the Outside the Box festival on Saturday July 25, and Sunday, July 26, will be complete with an appearance by Oxford author Philip Pullman, pictured, who is patron of the Magdalen Road venue.

He will talk to an audience about his fantasy novels and his writing and discuss projects taking place in the theatre.

Mr Pullman was invited to give a talk in a letter by Spike Asri, from the Pegasus members’ committee.

Mr Asri said: “Mr Pullman is an incredibly powerful storyteller.

“We felt it would be really inspiring to hear him speak about art and stories and what inspires him.”

Mr Pullman said: “I will be delighted to come and speak at the festival.”

The weekend festival is aimed at 11 to 16 year olds and will include the silent theatre piece Boy Meets Girl, where audience members wear headphones to follow a narrative played by two actors.

There will also be workshops in graffiti art, street dance, stage fighting and cartoon illustration as well as a barbecue and street food.

Theatre spokeswoman Gill Jaggers said: “There is a real buzz around this festival.

“The young people have gone all-out to programme a brilliant line-up of workshops, shows and events.”

Day passes are £20 and weekend passes £35.

Visit pegasustheatre.org.uk