Two stars to premier new plays in their home county

Screenwriter Richard Curtis and novelist Esther Freud are both premiering new plays in the county where they live.

The INK Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, takes place in Halesworth, Suffolk, from 16-19 April.

It includes a short play by Bafta-winner Curtis, who wrote the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral. Called Portrait, it is the story of a famous actress who commissions a professional artist.

Freud, who wrote the autobiographical novel Hideous Kinky, is contributing a work titled Signs and Whispers, about a couple who are on their way home from a magic show when they bump into a stranger from their past.

During the four-day festival, 70 new short plays by numerous local writers will be performed.

They will be staged in venues ranging from traditional theatres, a food larder, a bowling club and a scout hut.

The festival includes talks and free youth and community events.

When it began a decade ago, there were just 15 plays by budding writers who wanted to showcase their work.

Julia Sowerbutts, INK Festival artistic director, said: "It's hard to believe all those years ago what began as a tiny showcase of 15 shorts has now grown into the world's biggest carnival of new short plays.

"Yes, ten festivals is a lot of festival."

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