FOLLOWING the success of last year’s theatre festival, Stroud is to host a second festival this September.

With 25 companies performing over three days at six different venues in the town this festival will have something for everyone from stand up and lively comedies to musicals, cabaret and children’s shows, representing some of the most highly acclaimed theatre in Britain.

Award winning company multi story from Devon bring their new show Almost Heaven, Exeter based performers Jack Dean and Viki Browne each bring highly acclaimed shows. Jack Dean’s Threnody for the Sky Children is a performance poetry work featuring myths and zombies whilst Help! From Viki Browne is about falling apart and pulling yourself together and being surprised what you are left with. Liverpool based company Gerundagula invite audiences to Meet the Real Maggie Thatcher in a performance which has received excellent reviews on the Fringe Festival circuit.

Comedies include improvisational comedy from Instant Wit from Bristol, The Usherettes from Stroud based company Levick and Wood, Gloriator from Gloucestershire based company Spitz & Co, two sets of humorous story readings from Philip Douch and Julie Green, Freedom from local company Hexagon Theatre and a double act described as the Two Ronnies with boobs – O’Shea & O’Gaukroger

A number of shows are premiering at the festival including Stroud based company, Spaniel in the Works, powerful modern “austerity Britain” version of the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Nothing Changes and The Sentence by Cheltenham based writer Martin Lytton.

Local writer and performer Swithin Fry will be presenting an updated performance focusing on his relationship with Death Row inmate Timothy Coleman in 17 years, 7 months, 10 days, 3 hours and 42 minutes and Cheltenham based actor Howard Timms’ In Tune With Dementia is a moving and funny show exploring living with a family member with the illness.

Local poets Jonny Fluffypunk, Bill Jones and Eley Furrell will each be presenting shows; 0.0 from Eley and Kim Baker explores two stories based around parental crises, whilst Man Up! Jonny Fluffypunk offers a moving but comically anarchic look at what it means to be a father. Bill Jones’ Graveside Manner contains humorous poems on death, despair and loss from Stroud’s most depressed poet!

Musical theatre is not forgotten with shows such as Fat Shirleys, A Trailer Park Opera from Bristol company Three Chords Theatre, Cabaret Diem from local company Just Us Productions and Ukelele Warrior, Angus Barr.

Classics such as Becket and Shakespeare are also present in Becket Shorts from local company Two Hoots and MacbethAlone! From Stroud Theatre Company.

For more experimental theatre there is a physical theatre piece from Pinturabox – Night Shades Its Flight and PIDGE from Devon will present a special site specific show Tea, Anyone? at the Star Anise Cafe.

Especially for children, Stroud based Daylight Theatre will also be presenting Arthur’s Magic Sword.

The festival takes place at the Subscription Rooms, Lansdown Hall and Gallery, The British School at Star Anise, The Alehouse and The Imperial Hotel from September 12 to 14.

Tickets are £6, £4, or you can buy a Stroudie Special which allows six shows for the price of five. These are available from the Subscription Rooms Box Office or by phoning 01453 760900. To find out more about specific times and shows pick up a brochure or visit www.stroudtheatrefestival.co.uk