THIS year's Swindon Festival Fringe is on track to mark Swindon 175 celebrations in style, kicking off with a bubbly reception at STEAM.

Presentations from Swindon Film Network, local musicians and Janice Thompson from JTP Trust launched the festival showcasing the town's performing arts.

The Fringe is based around various venues in the town including the new Shoebox Theatre at Artsite Post Modern Gallery, which hosted two dramas, The Quiet Zone about a librarian and The Life We Lived by Swindon playwright and co-founder of the Fringe, Matt Fox.

Still to come in the 10 day performing arts festival are a new play by Max Brandt called Dominion at MECA tomorrow, Murder She Didn't Write, a mystery comedy and the Gatecrash's Improve Comedy Club on Saturday

The festival was the brain child of Matt, his wife Jessie Thompson and Becci Smith, who began the event four years ago under the name of Madam Renards Mini Fringe.

“We started off with seven acts but now we have nearly 30 acts over ten days so it’s not mini anymore,'' said Matt.

Tonight Mysteries Of The Past But Now… and Abnormality Does Not Exist, will be acted out at The Phoenix Theatre, in New College.

Other venues hosting events throughout the festival are The Platform in Faringdon Road, The Wyvern Theatre,The Vic in Old Town, and the grand finale is at the Town Hall from 2pm with The Glummer Twins and CJ Cabaret entertaining in the afternoon and music from Sweet Nightingale closing the festival, along with comedy and drama and the Swindon Fringe awards ceremony.

For tickets or more details visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.