LIGHTS out, curtain up, it’s showtime for Stroud!

From Friday to Sunday, the town hosts its third theatre festival, with three days of children’s shows, classics, comedy, spoken word and award winning dramas playing at six different venues.

Live Wire Theatre is set to perform at the Cotswold Playhouse in Hands Up for Jonny Wilkinson’s Right Boot – a play about rugby coming in time for the arrival of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The troupe will transport audiences through time on a round-the-world-rugby-tour complete with songs, stories and physical re-enactments of matches and rugby rituals, including the All-Blacks’ legendary Haka.

Painswick writer and performer Swithin Fry reflects on his relationship with Death Row inmate Timothy Coleman in Dear Tim: Appeal Denied.

Bill Jones returns as Miserable Malcolm in Graveside Manner and, fresh from great success in Edinburgh comes Angie Belcher, with her show Mythical Creature.

Also performing on the back of a successful show in Edinburgh comes Jonny Fluffypunk, with Man Up Jonny Fluffypunk!

There are a number of shows for families, such as Norse Tales, a retelling of the Viking myths, from Stroud company Spaniel in the Works, and a masterclass in care and training for your dragon, with Chloe from Midnight Storytellers.

Comedies include What Kind Of Fool Am I? a new show from Stroud’s Helen Wood.

u To find out more about specific times and shows, pick up a brochure or visit stroudtheatrefestival.co.uk.