A world premiere, a chance to get involved in live theatre, music across the spectrum, storytelling and walks around some of Wiltshire’s most beautiful countryside are all on offer this weekend south of Warminster, as the Deverills Festival of the Performing Arts gets under way today (Friday).

Angel Exit Theatre Co, from Dorset, are premiering their new work The Ballad of Martha Brown, a mystery drama, on Saturday at 4pm in The Barn, Kingston Deverill.

The play tells the story of Martha, hanged for murder in 1856, the last public execution of a woman in the county and an event which had a profound impact on the fertile imagination of writer Thomas Hardy, who witnessed it as a youngster.

Festival director Richard Munro said: “Performances will be held in a variety of beautiful venues throughout the villages. It really will be a great opportunity to enjoy an intense, long weekend of first-class arts activity.”

The festival has venues in Brixton, Longbridge and Kingston Deverill, as well as pubs and church's along the Deverills Valley, with ample parking and refreshments.

Music on offer ranges from the Bath Philharmonia Orchestra to a ceilidh with Threepenny Bit, with bell ringing and mummers, Warminster Brass Band and a comedy also on offer.

The Play in a Day creation is on Monday, with members of Salisbury Playhouse working with the public all day on a show which will be performed at the end of the afternoon.

For full details of events and to book tickets, see www.deverillsfestival.com or call 01749 813899.