SALISBURY Playhouse's Theatre Fest West returns for a sixth year to celebrate and champion the work being done in the region.

The festival will run from Friday, February 10 to Saturday 25 and the full programme of events has today been announced. 

Salisbury Playhouse will once again be joining forces with Salisbury Arts Centre, The Pound in Corsham and Trowbridge Arts to present some of the most exciting companies from across the region.

The festival opens on Friday, February10 with the South West Theatre Symposium where theatre makers from across the South West will come together to discuss diversity and equality in the arts.

It will ask what the region can do to drive change and what practical solutions can be incorporated into the work being produced. Speakers will include Becky Chapman and Jamie Beddard from Diverse City, Anna Coombs from Tangle International and Heather Williams from Myrtle Theatre.

Jo Newman, the associate director at Salisbury Playhouse, said: "This festival is all about celebrating and championing the brilliant work which is being made across the south west. We're really excited by this year's programme; there's something different every night and a chance to experience the best new theatre being made right here in the region".

Companies taking part in this year's festival include Cornwall's Pipeline Theatre with Spillikin - A Love Story (Friday, February 24), Exeter's Theatre Alibi with Fish Eye (Saturday, February 18) and In Bed with My Brother with We are Ian (Friday, February 17).

There is also a range of theatre performances for young audiences including Dorset's Stuff and Nonsense with 3 Little Pigs (February13) and Bristol's Kid Carpet with The Super Mega Rockin' Rock Show (February 15).

Youth Music Theatre UK will lead a full day workshop for 16-25 year olds on Writing for Musicals (February 14) and award-winning choreographer Karla Shacklock will lead a fast and fun physical workshop aimed at artists from all disciplines (February 22).

Award-winning comedy cabaret duo House of Blakewell (Harry Blake and Alice Keedwell) will also present a free sharing of the work so far on their brand new musical Thor & Loki on Friday, February 17. Harry Blake, originally from Salisbury, is currently the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer based at West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Productions taking place at the partner venues include Open Attic with Much Ado About Puffin (February 11 at The Pound, Corsham and February 18 at Salisbury Arts Centre) and Jon Udry Punches Gravity in the Face (February 22 February at Salisbury Arts Centre and February 23 at Trowbridge Town Hall).

For the full programme of events go to salisburyplayhouse.com.