The Worcester Fringe is returning soon with over 20 performances across 16 days.

The art festival will feature a range of events, from thought-provoking plays to quirky cabarets.

Running from Friday, July 19 to Saturday, August 3, the Fringe will showcase both nearby and international talents.

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Worcester Theatres founded the Fringe in 2021, which now brings most of the event's performances to the Swan Studio at the Swan Theatre.

One highlight will be Stan’s Cafe, a theatre company from Birmingham, staging its latest piece, 'The Rivers'.

The play takes the audience through the geography and history of the Severn, one of the UK's favourite rivers, which runs through the city.

Launched in 1991 with the hit show 'Of All the People in All the World', the production company has a loyal following.

Newcomers to the Fringe include Young Rep Company, performing a stirring coming-of-age story, Rhymez(s*).

The Shelf Theatre Company will debut 'As Luck Would Have It', a comedy about a couple navigating their post-break-up friendship.

The Fringe's lineup extends beyond just stage performances, with arts company Crave Arts to host 'The Debut', a new writing showcase.

'Taster Pots @ the Swan' will join the line-up, presenting snippets of new works in a scratch night format.

An LGBTQ+ performance night, 'Saucy @ the Fringe', will be held for the fourth consecutive year, which will include an appearance from the county's youngest poet laureate, Freddie Barker.

Music enthusiasts can look forward to the Culture Cafe Weekender, a free event featuring performers from the area.

Poetry fans shouldn't miss the Worcester Fringe Poetry Slam, with judges including former Worcestershire Poet Laureate and owner of Script Haven Leena Batchelor and multi-slam winner Holly Winter-Hughes.

They said: "Worcester Fringe 2024 is going to be an irresistible melting pot of Worcestershire’s finest artists and most exciting up and comers.

"We are thrilled to be making space for new ideas and new talent to flourish, and we want everyone to be a part of it and feel inspired."

They added: "It's all about bringing fantastic and inspiring cultural events to the city."

Check out the full programme for the Fringe at www.worcestertheatres.co.uk.