THOUSANDS of people have flocked to Stourbridge Town Hall to see sell-out shows screening live performances by stars including Dame Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch - straight from the West End by satellite link.

More than 3,000 tickets have been snapped up for the "National Theatre Live Screen" sessions, such as the BBC's Sherlock Star Cumberbatch as Hamlet and Dame Judi's performance in "The Winter's Tale", which were both sold out in days.

Highlights of the next series of showings include Kenneth Branagh's "Romeo and Juliet" in July - and the new season kicks off with "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" on January 28, followed by "As You Like It" with Rosalie Craig on February 25 and "Hangmen" on March 3.

The seven-metre wide screen receives both live and recorded London performances - called "encore" showings" - as well as movies for the hall's regular matinees.

More information and tickets are available at www.dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/entertainment-live