THE Shoebox Theatre is launching a new annual festival in Swindon.

The two-day FUSE Festival on July 6 and 7 will see five work-in-progress performances from new artists.

In a bid to make theatre more accessible to everyone, guests can pay as much or as little as they want for a ticket.

The festival aims to support fresh-out-of-drama-school performers by offering free rehearsal space and mentoring in producing, marketing, production and artistic development.

Producer at Shoebox Theatre Hannah Marquez said: “It’s been something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.

“In February, we put out an announcement for emerging theatre makers to apply for the festival, and people from across the south west applied – though nobody from Swindon.

“It’s expensive to put on theatre, so we wanted to create something to give people who have created a theatre company and are working on new productions the opportunity to get the support they need.

“Also, people sometimes can’t afford to go to the theatre, but this pay-what-you-can system takes that problem away.

“The audience will also get to speak to the companies involved and give them feedback.

“We’re really excited to be able to offer this festival for the audience and for theatre-makers.

“Who knows what this will develop into? We hope it will grow and grow as the years go on.”

Josh Foyster, the festival’s producer, said: “With Fuse, we wanted to provide a nurturing environment, with ample help and advice to get new work on its feet at no cost to the artists.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of applications we received for this year’s festival and are excited to be able to support and showcase the work of five theatre companies and artists at the start of their careers.”

Hannah added: “Josh has recently graduated from drama school so he knows how difficult it can be to get support while developing and performing work after you leave.

“It’s the first festival that Josh has produced, so we’re helping him pull it all together.”

The festival is funded by a grant from One Stop Carriers for Causes.

There will be performances from Significant Other, Flop, Dollybox, Rhys Denton and Paperback.

To book tickets and find out performance times, visit shoeboxtheatre.org.uk/fuse