North Devon’s very own Mrs Animation is presenting the debut of her new musical production From Essex To Barry at Barnstaple Fringe tonight (Thursday, June 26) with further shows on Saturday and Sunday.

From Essex To Barry is the brainchild of pop artist Sarah Lee-Pettifer, who wrote, directed and stars in the must-see musical comedy production with animation too, which opens tonight at the Queen’s Theatre at 8.45pm.

The hour-long performance of the laughter-packed play draws inspiration from a host of British television comedies and will be laced with a selection of brilliant and original, toe-tapping show tunes.

If tonight is a little last minute, audiences can catch the show again on Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 6.15pm, part of the 180 performances of almost every genre imaginable at this year’s Barnstaple Fringe Theatresfest.

Sarah, otherwise known as Mrs Animation, now has the Mrs Animation Gallery & Studio at Butchers Row in Bideford Pannier Market and is hugely involved in a variety of local cultural events.

She said: “It has been a dream of mine to come up with and put on a show like this. There are a lot of laughs and great new tunes, alongside some unexpected twists and turns.

“Hopefully, the animation will offer something unique to audiences and it should be quite a different theatrical experience. The projections will bring locations to life like never before, immersing theatregoers in a vibrant and dynamic world. I think it’s ideal for fans of modern British comedy and musical theatre alike.

“I’m really hoping people will leave the theatre with beaming smiles on their faces and springs in their steps. There should be plenty of laughter and a fun singalong evening. It’s been hard work from a a brilliant cast and I want to pay tribute to their professionalism and dedication.”

The cast of From Essex To Barry features a host of successful actors, singers and performers from across the South West, who have been rehearsing relentlessly for the past few months.

After the run, Sarah hopes to bring the show to wider audiences across the UK.

Barnstaple Fringe has something for everyone, from comedy, stand up, dramas serious and not-so-serious, dance, puppet shows, storytelling and everything in between during 180 performances of 55 individual shows at venues around the town centre.

Tickets are available at the venue, online and the various Fringe box offices at every main venue, as well as the central Fringe box office at the Queen’s Theatre, plus you can purchase Frequent Fringer tickets enabling you to see six shows for £24.

For full ticket information and listings, please visit www.theatrefest.co.uk