FREE THEATRE TROUPES from around the country are to showcase productions beginning 1 July at Al-Hanager Theatre in the Opera House grounds as part of the Second Independent Light Comedy Festival, a subsection of the Sixth Free Theatre Festival.

If many of the participants prefer the independent tag rather than the free, seeing in the latter an implication of sloppy obscurantism, it is freedom that is accurately reflected in the work of these predominantly young and innovative artists, determined to do theatre against all odds. The one unquestionably interesting facet of the shows on offer is that they were invariably made out of a love of theatre, and not to further any sense of brand recognition. Left: King Lear on the Hanager stage

For full details of programme, see Listings