AN ALL-new contemporary arts festival aims to bring the latest in modern drama, music, dance, comedy and film to a wider audience as part of an ambitious programme of art events for 2013.

The Contemporary Arts Festival will start on Thursday (21) as part of the Malvern Theatres Trust’s programme of events and hopes to attract people from across the Midlands.

Performances will include Ockham's Razor acrobatics and daring aerial theatre, the award-winning play The Pitman Painters, which has sold out at the National Theatre in the West End and on Broadway, and Michelangelo Drawing Blood accompanied by music composed by Charlie Barber.

The festival also features a new play from Perrier Award-winner Will Adamsdale, The Victorian in the Wall, as well as August Wilson's Fences' starring Lenny Henry.

Malvern Theatres' cinema will also host video broadcasts of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland live from the Royal Opera House and Esmeralda by Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet.

Other performances feature stand-up comedian Andy Parsons and the National Dance Company Wales performing Dream.

Marketing director Fred Moroni said: "Since 1884, Malvern has attracted the most distinguished supporters and performers; from Bernard Shaw and Edward Elgar to Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren; but we are very keen to highlight the modernity and diversity on offer now.

“Our three auditoria utilise the latest technology to support exciting and innovative 21st century productions and we continue to attract some of the best in British and Worldwide talent.”

The Malvern Contemporary Arts Festival runs until Thursday, April 18.

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit malvern-theatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01684 892277.