THE theatrical phenomenon that's sweeping the country is coming back home.

MonologueSlam UK is the showcase for actors and performers, which gives an opportunity for anyone to perform a monologue in front of some of the most important people in the industry.

Since the first “official” MonologueSlam in the East End of London seven years ago, today the shows have gone national, with heats taking place all over the country in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Cardiff.

But what makes Monologue Slam UK particularly special for us is two of its founders now live in Colchester.

That's actors Fraser Ayres and Minnie Crowe, along with London-based Jimmy Akingbola, who run the Tri-Force Creative Network, which organises the Slams.

Last year the duo were particularly delighted to get their 'home' theatre on board, the Mercury, to host not only one of the heats but also the regional final, and the icing on the cake was that Colchester's regional winner, Alex Tobias, eventually went on to win the National Final last December at Theatre Royal Stratford East in London.

Minnie says: "MonologueSlam UK has grown from a showcase in a bar in East London to a free nationwide platform for actors, whatever their background, to be seen by industry professionals. We're really excited to be back in Colchester. We saw some amazing talent last year as shown by the Colchester winner Alex Tobias becoming the National Champion.

"New for this year is on the adult audition day on October 1 we have Spotlight coming to Colchester to hold a day of free seminars for local actors with information on marketing yourself as an actor as well as, hopefully, a Q & A with a casting director and agent. That will take place at the Colchester Arts Centre."

Minnie is also doing some youth sessions later this month that will be open to all 11 to 18 year olds, to explain more about what MonologueSlam is and how to prepare for the auditions.

Since starting, the event has not only provided a great show for audiences to enjoy it has also offered up some incredible opportunities to those who have taken part. Actors such as Kate Kennedy who went on to feature in BBC'S A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Duran Fulton Brown who got a part in Jekyll & Hyde and Ryan Calais Cameron who since featuring in his 'Slam' has subsequently got roles in Cilla, The Westbridge, and The Interceptor.

The Youth Round auditions take place in the Mercury Studio on September 30 with the adult auditions running the following day, while the MonologueSlam Masterclass is on October 22, and the show itself on the Mercury's main stage is on November 7.

For more information go to www.monologueslamuk.com