Elysium Theatre Company is set to bring the lawless 16th-century borderlands to life in theatres and schools through its original production, ‘Reiver – Tales from The Borders’.

The production, set in an era when Reivers 'raiders' wreaked havoc in the ungoverned Anglo-Scottish border, tells a story through three acts featuring three characters.

Penned by Newcastle-based playwright Steve Byron, three interlocking stories – ‘Blackmail’, ‘Godforsaken Place’, and ‘The Widow’s Path’ - depict a world where ordinary individuals challenge corruption and injustice.

The Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham is set to host the production on October 5.

The Northern theatre company has also unveiled a writing initiative, ‘Reiver - Voices From The Borders’, for schools across Durham and Northumberland.

Backed by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Northumberland County Council, and Durham University, the initiative will involve writing and creative arts projects featuring hundreds of pupils.

Elysium Theatre Company is also orchestrating a series of podcasts discussing Reiver and Traveller history, online adaptations of the ‘Reiver’ monologues, and a resource kit for schools.

Pupils’ original work influenced by the Reivers’ world is set to be compiled into an anthology, which will feature prose, poetry, and art.

Two pupil-crafted audio plays will also be released online.

Elysium’s founder and Artistic Director, Jake Murray, said: “The Reivers are a massive part of the history of this part of the country, and the wider history not only of the country as a whole but America, Canada and Australia, and yet few people know about them.

“Reiver families gave us two Presidents of the US - Richard Nixon and Lyndon B Johnson - and the first man to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong. They've gone to be footballers (the Charltons and the Robsons), retailers (the Fenwicks) and hoteliers (the Marriots). Most people here in the North East are descended from the Reivers but don't know it.

“This is project which builds on our work with schools across Durham County and Northumberland, is all about giving the region its history back.

“The Reivers were larger than life in every way and once they've captured your imagination they don't let go."