A CLASSIC play penned by Harold Pinter, which portrays the breakdown of relationships in a "wincingly accurate" way, will be staged as part of the Worcester Festival.

The "bittersweet" production, Betrayal, will run at Worcester Arts Workshop from tomorrow until Saturday at 7.30pm.

"This intense play, with stunning insight into the politics of betrayal, not only within marriage but within close friendships, hits home powerfully," said a spokeswoman for Melting Pot Theatre company, which is performing the production.

"Moving, clever and witty, the unravelling of chronology demonstrates the layers of deceit.

"Many telling moments bring a wry smile to the face for anyone who has tried to maintain a relationship - and let's face it - that's most of us."

She said that Melting Pot productions have become annual events that Worcester audiences look forward to with great anticipation.

Previous successes include The Herbal Bed in 2002, Valued Friends, A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2003, and Othello last year.

Meanwhile, film fans are in for a treat today, with Seven Brides For Seven Brothers being screened at the Swan Theatre at 2pm, followed by The Horse Whisperer at 7.30pm.

And live music lovers can take in the sounds of duo Ouja and King's School Jazz Band, both performing on the live stage at Worcester's CrownGate shopping centre at various times throughout today.

And if it's more the taking part as opposed to viewing that rocks your boat, you could try your hand at jiving with the lindy hoppers workshops tomorrow.

Eleven to 18 year olds can enjoy a one-and-a-half hour workshop at the Swan Theatre at 12.30pm, then adult classes take place at the same venue at 4pm and 7.30pm.

For more information about the Worcester Festival call 01905 611427 or log on TO www.worcesterfestival.co.uk

The night I discovered my Latin rhythm

ANYBODY who recognised me as I swept across the dancefloor like some exotic bird of paradise would have been dazzled.

The lean and lithe frame of yours truly was a blur as I pirouetted from Cuban salsa to Brazilian lambada and then catapulted into a Dominican Republic merengue.

What a joke. The truth was that I was doing what I always do at weddings or similar dos. And, sadly for her, this time my long-suffering partner was younger daughter Alice.

But for some strange reason, it didn't matter. For we happy, dance-delirious Worcester people were all fired by common purpose.

We'd stumbled through the workshop with Anthony and Angie, learnt the basic moves, and then we were put to the test with the live band. Cue to busk it, then.

To be fair, some dancers were very good. Others had obviously overdosed on old John Travolta movies. The idea of removing seats to create room for dancing was a smart move by Huntingdon Arts director Chris Jaeger. Indeed, such an idea had interesting implications for other boogie-friendly acts such as Mike Sanchez and King Pleasure.

As far as Palenke were concerned, the action never stopped. In fact, it was impossible to stay still as one hot-blooded tempo followed another. Total strangers bumped hips, toes were crushed to dust by size 10s, and colliding bottoms created enough static to fuel a surge on the National Grid.

This was gloriously sweaty fun and only a dead person would fail to be captivated by it all.

Suddenly, it was the last number, followed by the inevitable encore. A group of musicians from South America had transformed a small corner of Worcester into steamy, tropical nightclub.

Alice and her tragically club-footed father crossed Deansway to go home. Hot, tired but very happy.

SAX PLAYER SAM'S BEEN SPOTTED

SAM Pagett may only be 13 years old but he has already been talent-spotted and hopes it will be the start of a glittering showbiz career.

The Stourport-on-Severn saxophonist was busking when Worcester Festival organisers clapped eyes on him and signed him up to headline the live stage at CrownGate.

For Sam, playing the saxophone is hugely sentimental because his dad, who died three years ago, was a saxophonist too, and it is his saxophone the teenager plays. Sam, who also plays the keyboard and harmonica and is a jive dancer, specialises in blues, rock 'n' roll and swing music and is in a band called Big Dummy and the Pram Pushers.

Now he's offering his skills for free to play at family parties and barbecues. To book him give him a call on 07797 525527.

FESTIVAL DIARY

There's a wealth of entertainment on offer during the Worcester Festival, which runs until Monday, August 29. Here are some of today's and tomorrow's highlights.

TODAY:

11am and again at 1pm: King's School Jazz Band will perform on the live stage at CrownGate shopping centre.

Noon: Ouja - World Music Duo will be at CrownGate's live stage.

2pm: The film Seven Brides For Seven Brothers will be screened at the Swan Theatre.

7.30pm: The Robert Redford film The Horse Whisperer will be at the Swan Theatre in Worcester.

TOMORROW:

10am: Raiders of the Lost Park! Family fun at Cripplegate Park.

10am: Selina Bella Strings at the live stage at CrownGate Shopping Centre.

11am: Football tournament

at Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club.

Noon: Ouja World Music Duo at CrownGate's live stage.

12.30pm: The Jiving Lindy Hoppers Workshop for 11 to 18 year olds at the Swan Theatre.

2pm: Spin Dwyers performing on the live stage at CrownGate.

4pm and again at 7.30pm: The Jiving Lindy Hoppers Workshop for adults at the Swan Theatre.

7.30pm: The comedy Rites will be staged in the garden of the Hunter's Lodge in Sinton Green near Hallow.

7.30pm: The Melting Pot Theatre company presents Harold Pinter's play Betrayal at Worcester Arts Workshop.

7.30pm: An Evening with Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan at St Swithun's Institute.