ITS internationally renowned, potently hot and has its roots firmly embedded in our very own Faithful City - let's hear it for Worcestershire Sauce.

Since the early 19th Century, the legendary Lea & Perrins kick has livened up tongues across the globe and during this year's Worcester Festival, eight leading playwrights from the county take up the challenge of summing it up on stage.

Each will be paired off to create a play about the saucy subject, a feat in itself, but even more impressive is that this will be done in just one week before each work of art is performed before an audience at the Marr's Bar.

Worcester's first ever "Script Slam", complete with Who Wants to be a Millionaire "Ask the Audience" voting buttons, takes place on Monday, August 16, courtesy of new venture artworcs, which is also hosting three other days of events during the Festival from Saturday, August, 14 to Monday, August 30.

In line with the company's desire to promote and hone art forms "across the board" within the county of Worcestershire, the company has gone all out by commissioning established writers of TV or drama work to draw up the 10 minute sketches.

It's an impressive line-up, including Alex Jones, AKA The Archers' Clive Horrobin, and Deborah Catesby, who is about to have one of her plays aired on Radio 4.

And the inspiration behind the chosen topic?

"We wanted to try and look at things relating to the area and Worcester Sauce has a lot of scope," said artistic director Sheila Farrell.

"Basically, they can interpret it however they please."

Compering the evening, in collaboration with West Midlands agency Script, are top performance poets Marcus Moore and Sara Jane Arbury, who aim to bring a "light" element to the proceedings.

Meanwhile, after doing their duty as official judges, the audience can make the most of a late bar and live music.

The event is a step forward for artworcs, which ran workshops during last year's festival and will do so again this year, with funding from the Elmley Foundation.

And the future looks bright for the brainchild of Sheila Farrell (a conceptual artist), Deborah Rees (an arts consultant), Peter Leslie Wild (Senior Producer, BBC Radio 4) and Lance Woodman (award-winning playwright).

Formed in 2003, the company's "festival in the festival" is its first major project, which will be followed in spring 2005 by Upside Down and Back to Front - a play with visual art examining the influence of photography.

"artworcs came about as we felt there was a gap and also we were interested in the idea of crossing the board of art forms, mixing art, drama, creative writing and dance," said Sheila.

"There are a lot of creative people in this area but they have to go outside to make their work."

Continuing the theme on Tuesday, August 17, artworcs presents ARTBURST!, also at the Marr's Bar.

Billed as an evening of artistic anarchy and creative chaos, the company will conjure up a compilation of art, from a BAFTA award-winning short film and stand-up theatre to live bands and storytelling.

Each act is homegrown and promises to be a sneaky peek at the explosive new talent on the block.

Both evenings' entertainment starts at 7.45pm.

On Saturday, August 14, and Sunday August 15, artworcs in association with Script presents four full day workshops for budding artists.

An Introduction to Screen-writing, on the Saturday, is a "fun filled day" aimed at encouraging film buffs to start using screenings and practical exercises.

Also on Saturday is Artwords, a chance to play with words and images and open to artists, poets, writers or none of these.

The following day, Writing Radio Drama has been designed as an introduction to conquering writing the airwaves.

WOW! - Worcester Orchestra of the World - gives musicians the chance to go Pop Stars crazy and make an instant band, inspired by the Carnival Band's Andy Watts. All are welcome to go along with their instrument or voice.

Venues range from the Unison Offices, Loves Grove to the Marr's Bar, Pierpoint St.

n For more information, visit www.artworcs.co.uk To book tickets for the above events ring the Festival Box Office on 01905 611427.