The first ever Southend Arts Festival is about to start. SALLY KING takes a peek at the week of events about to unfold

It's an exciting time in Southend for people who enjoy arts. In ten days' time the town will come alive with everything arty.

New pieces of theatre have been written especially for the occasion. Singers, musicians and dancers have been perfecting their routines and artists have been preparing items of beauty to be admired - and hopefully bought.

The festival is the brainchild of Sharon Goodman and Jeremy Battersby who had the idea just over a year ago. "I have been delighted by the response to the event," says Sharon. "We have more than 95 events in 38 venues."

Main movers in theatrical terms are Lee Tearrell and Simon Riches. They are the men behind Who Was That Masked Man?, a production company producing two original works in the Dixon Studio, Postcards and Perfect Relationships, Oscar Wilde's classic comedy the Importance of Being Earnest at the Eastwood Studio and Theatre Sports, a new fast-moving, clash of comic titans at the Cliffs Pavilion's Maritime Rooms.

Local artists have stepped forward to provide instant art for immediate thrills and something more lasting.

Performance artist Richard Lightbown will paint in front of the crowds outside the Royals Shopping Centre - weather permitting - every day from Saturday, August 26, the first day of the festival, until September 3, the last.

A longer term project will be on show at Southend Hospital when a work based on the tree of life by Iris Farringdon and Rachael Woodward will be unveiled.

The hanging is 9ft by 12ft and will be displayed in the hospital outpatient's department.

Old Leigh Studios and Oakleigh Park Studios will both be displaying work by local artists.

Photographer Ian James says about his work, based on the darkroom effects of solarisation, Sabiter effects and bas-relief: "Visitors will be able to enjoy easily recognisable Leigh scenes, but presented in a way they've never seen them before. In a way it's playing with your senses."

A selection of paintings in oil, acrylics, water-colours, mixed media and fine art photography can also be enjoyed.

There will be plenty of comic interludes at the festival too. As well as the Theatre Sports, when Who Was That Masked Man? clash with the Joker Comedy Club, there will be the chance to show your own talent as a stand-up comedian. Joker Comedy Club will present Make Me Laugh - an open mic spot for wannabe comics to stand up and be counted.

As for music, there is more available than any one person could possibly want.

Everything from chamber music to jazz will be happening in community centres, theatres, parks and pubs through the town.

There is just no end to the town's talent and it's all out there for the enjoying.

Southend Arts Festival could become something very big indeed but it needs all those in and around Southend who enjoy the arts not just to take part and visit things they know they enjoy but to sample what others have to offer.

Who knows, in 20 years' time people might be saying "Edinburgh? We're only bothering with Southend."

Programmes with all details are available throughout the town from shops and libraries around town.

To learn more about events in festival week, and for links to the arts festival's own website, see our special section: Southend Arts Festival

Midsummer arts - Pinpoint Productions present their A Midsummer Night's Dream from August 31 to September 2 at McGinty's Pier Theatre, for the festival

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