STRATFORD theatregoers can enjoy entertainment, music, comedy and new plays for just a fiver as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's fringe festival 2000.

Company actor Samuel West, who is directing a production of Hamlet for the fringe, launched this year's festival by cracking open a bottle of bubbly with a few RSC friends on Monday at The Other Place, which will be home to an eclectic mix for two weeks from next Monday.

As well as the £5 goodies at The Other Place, there will be a double bill at the Swan featuring Playing Burton - the warts-and-all life story of actor Richard Burton - and Monk Function, a concert featuring a blend of funk, soul and gospel performed by a six-piece acoustic band and penned by Paul Ewing, who is currently playing Amiens in As You Like It.

The highlight is set to be Hamlet, which the star of Richard II has just two weeks to pull together.

Mr West is undaunted by the challenge as he will he working with a strong cast including Adrian Schiller as the Danish prince, Nancy Carol as Ophelia and Caroline Harris, Richard Bremmer and Alexandra Gilbreath.

As well as six other plays, the festival will feature one-man performances.

Actress Margot Sessions will be sharing her years of experience on the stage in A World of My Own and James Albrecht will be portraying two black men, two white men and a woman in John Wayne, Mom, Apple Pie and Other Myths, a story of the American dream based on real-life interviews.

Also performing solo will be Ian Hughes, in Edmund Kean, Declan Conlan in The Book of Evidence and Julian Curry in Hic! Or the Entire History of Wine (Abridged).

For more details on the plays, play readings, one-man shows and other special events, call 01789 412655.