Where: Gloucester, various venues

When: October 11 to 18, 2017

Gloucester's Strike A Light Festival is back this autumn with a feast of theatre, dance and performance. 

The inclusive festival, in partnership with Battersea Arts Centre, brings nationally-touring theatre and dance companies to the heart of the city and showcases some of the best local work happening in Gloucester and the South West.

Following sell-out performances at the last festival in April, the programme for the next event, which runs from October 11 to 18, has just been announced.

It includes award-winning theatre show, Ross & Rachel which is a mind-bending, heart-breaking story of what happens when a couple that was always meant to be together, gets together. And stays together.

Ross & Rachel. Picture: Alex Brenner 

With four-star reviews from the likes of Time Out and The Independent, catch it at Gloucester Academy on October 12 and and 13 at 8pm.

Parents with little ones aged 18 months to three years can delight in a magical introduction to theatre for the very young: Twinkle Twinkle is a beautiful adventure in music and light, puppetry, magical interaction and a gorgeous original score with live music-making for all.

Picture: Touched Theatre

It takes place from October 16 to 18 at 10am, 11.30am and 1pm at Matson Baptist Church.

Bristol-based music and theatre extraordinaires Kid Carpet and Vic Llewellyn rock on to the scene with The Castle Builder, an emotional journey into the hearts and souls that exist on the outer limits of creativity.

It tells the true story of an inmate in a Norwegian psychiatric institute who over five years built a castle on a remote headland and explores tales of outsider artists who've been inspired to build gigantic extraordinary structures, alone, in secret, and without artistic validation from the real world.

It is being performed on October 14 at Gloucester Guildhall.

Night at the Theatre. Picture: Rhiannon Williams 

When three friends become trapped in an abandoned theatre, little do they know that they will soon become the stars of their own show. Night at the Theatre by Casson & Friends is an accessible performance combining dance theatre, audio-description and imaginative storytelling.

It will be at Gloucester Academy on October 16 at 7pm.

The Head Wrap Diaries. Picture: Foteini Christofilopoulou

Three fierce, clever and witty female characters take us through stories of community, heritage, womanhood and friendship in Uchenna Dance's The Head Wrap Diaries. The show empowers all women (and the men in their lives) to celebrate their individual beauty. This interactive dance-theatre show deals with issues of femininity, beauty, culture and most importantly - hair.

It's at Gloucester Guildhall on October 17.

Almost Always Muddy by Kirsty Harris is an immersive storytelling experience which will take place outdoors. Slip on your warmest clothes for a 'den-making' workshop followed by storytelling which will challenge your imaginations. The event is suitable for ages eight to 12 and takes place from October 12 to 14 at The Redwell Centre Matson.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on June 30. Ticket prices range from £5 to £15. For more details, visit strikealightfestival.org.uk