IT'S not often we'll say get indoors' but this week you'll be in for a treat if you take our advice and get inside the Mercury Theatre in Colchester.

From Tuesday, the theatre is staging its very first Mercury Youth Theatre Groups Festival.

Called SHiNE, Mercury Youth Theatre, its Junior Youth Theatre and the Wivenhoe Youth Theatre are coming together to celebrate young talent on the theatre's main stage.

Putting on one production each throughout the week, the festival will culminate in a marathon performance on Saturday when all three shows will be performed one after the other.

The Mercury Youth Theatre will kick-start the festival week with its performance of Two Planks and a Passion by Anthony Minghella, director of The English Patient.

Wivenhoe Youth Theatre continues SHiNE with Rhinocerous by Eugene Ionesco on Wednesday and the Mercury Junior Youth Theatre ends the week with The Grimm Tales on Thursday.

If you can't make it on the three separate days then there will be a chance to see all three performances in one day, Saturday, with the Grimm Tales from 2pm, Rhinocerous at 5pm and Two Planks and a Passion from 8pm.

It's a great idea and one which offers the budding actors a chance to really know what it feels like to be on the big stage and learn from experienced actors at the Mercury Theatre.

There's more theatre with the Frinton Summer Theatre's production of The Late Edwina Black tonight at the McGrigor Hall from 7.45pm (call 01255 674443).

But if theatre's really not your bag, then there's still plenty to keep you busy and entertained this week.

An open mic session for wannabe stand-ups is open to all at Hole in the Wall in Balkerne Lane, Colchester on Wednesday, or if you fancy a boogie to some really tasteful 1980s tunes then Hole in the Wall is putting on a party night on Thursday - just make sure you get those leg warmers out!

Drool over some classic cars at the Colchester Lions Club Classic Vehicle Show in Lower Castle Park between 11am and 5.30pm on Sunday, or stretch your legs with a guided history tour which starts at St Botolph's Church in Colchester at 2pm. For information call 01206 282920.

There's plenty of live music to keep your foot tapping throughout the week too, with jazz, rock and even steel pans making music at venues across north Essex.

There's an unplugged session at High Barn in Great Bardfield, The Food Factory in Colchester will offer some soothing sounds of jazz while diners eat and Adrian Nation will pump some energy into your weekend on Saturday when he unleashes his acoustic rock to audiences at the Cramphorn Theatre in Chelmsford on Saturday.

And of course, not forgetting the kids.

This week's Kids' Corner starts a little rough and tumble with Punch and Judy in Upper Castle Park, Colchester on Wednesday at 11am and 2.30pm.

Last week kids got creative with a clay modelling workshop at Colchester Castle.

This week, the summer holidays may be winding down, but they are not yet over so there's time left to get mucky with some pond dipping and mini beast hunting at Abberton Reservoir on Thursday.

Jimmy's Farm, friend of chef Jamie Oliver, will open his farm for a Wildlife Fun Day in Wherstead from 10am until 4pm on Thursday too.

Well, enjoy your week.

Next week Neil is back and is sure to have lots of wonderous things for you to do.

It's been a pleasure...bye!