THE first week of the Devizes Arts Festival has been declared a huge success with everything from jazz and comedy to rock'n'roll and poetry going down a storm

Festival chairman Margaret Bryant said: "The festival has got off to a great start with performances from the poet John Hegley, the Navarra Quartet and jazz singer Edana Mingella proving especially popular, but there are still tickets left for most events and plenty to look forward to."

Other successes were stand-up comedian Arthur Smith, who did his homework on Devizes before taking to the stage in Corn Exchange on Saturday night, and band The Computers who were at the same venue a day earlier.

The group, who gave a modern twist to rock'n'roll, attracted a big audience of people of all age groups,

Mrs Bryant said: "Tonight (11) actor, adventurer and wildlife ambassador Brian Blessed will be on stage at The Corn Exchange, while fans of The Archers can look forward to some behind the scenes stories about their favourite radio soap from Sunny Ormonde, who plays the outrageous and much loved Lilian Bellamy, on Friday evening."

Other acts still to come include a dark story of love, loss and murder on Sunday at the Wharf. The Other Half is a unique collaboration between the leading lights of mystery fiction and country music.

An original story by bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham, soundtracked by the powerful and poignant songs of internationally acclaimed Americana duo My Darling Clementine.

This weekend also sees a programme of fringe music with folk, bluegrass and jazz at various venues around the town.

There's still time to get tickets for Tuesday's classical recital with bassoonist Amy Harman and pianist Jonathan Ware and to hear medieval historian Lauren Johnson's talk about Magna Carta, which is still a symbol of civil liberties 800 years since its was written.

The festival has introduced a pop-up box office at evening events to make easier for people to get tickets.

Mrs Bryant said: "Opening the box office at events offers people, who can’t get to Devizes Books during the day and don’t want to book online, a convenient way to purchase tickets in person."

For details of all events go to www.devizesfestival.co.uk

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