Salisbury Playhouse Slates Theatre Fest West 2017 Lineup

The full programme for Salisbury Playhouse's Theatre Fest West, its sixth annual celebration of theatre from across the south west (Friday 10 to Saturday 25 February), has been announced. Salisbury Playhouse will once again be joining forces with Salisbury Arts Centre, The Pound in Corsham and Trowbridge Arts to present some of the most exciting companies from across the region.

The festival opens on Friday 10 February with the South West Theatre Symposium where theatre makers from across the region will come together to discuss diversity and equality in the arts. It will ask what the region can do to drive change and what practical solutions can be incorporated into the work being produced. Speakers will include Becky Chapman and Jamie Beddard from Diverse City, Anna Coombs from Tangle International and Heather Williams from Myrtle Theatre.

The day will culminate with the Theatre Fest West Prize Readings and three shortlisted writers from last year's open call-out - Shiona Morton from Devon, Sarah Gordon from Dorset and Pippa Gladhill from Bath - will have extracts read from their plays. The winner of the prize, who will have their play produced by Salisbury Playhouse, will be announced after this event.

Companies taking part in this year's festival include Cornwall's Pipeline Theatre with Spillikin - A Love Story (Friday 24 February), Exeter's Theatre Alibi with Fish Eye (Saturday 18 February) and In Bed with My Brother with We are Ian (Friday 17 February).

There is also a range of theatre performances for young audiences including Dorset's Stuff and Nonsense with 3 Little Pigs (Monday 13 February) and Bristol's Kid Carpet with The Super Mega Rockin' Rock Show (Wednesday 15 February).

Youth Music Theatre UK will lead a full day workshop for 16-25 year olds on Writing for Musicals (Tuesday 14 February) and award-winning choreographer Karla Shacklock will lead a fast and fun physical workshop aimed at artists from all disciplines (Wednesday 22 February).

Award-winning comedy cabaret duo House of Blakewell (Harry Blake and Alice Keedwell) will also present a free sharing of the work so far on their brand new musical Thor & Loki on Friday 17 February. Harry Blake, originally from Salisbury, is currently the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer based at West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Productions taking place at the partner venues include Open Attic with Much Ado About Puffin (Saturday 11 February at The Pound, Corsham and Saturday 18 February at Salisbury Arts Centre) and Jon Udry Punches Gravity in the Face (Wednesday 22 February at Salisbury Arts Centre and Thursday 23 February at Trowbridge Town Hall).

Jo Newman, Associate Director at Salisbury Playhouse says: "This festival is all about celebrating and championing the brilliant work which is being made across the south west. We're really excited by this year's programme; there's something different every night and a chance to experience the best new theatre being made right here in the region".

The full programme of events can be found at www.salisburyplayhouse.com.

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