The final countdown has begun for this year's Hostry Festival at Norwich Cathedral.
The autumn arts extravaganza - which is now in its seventh year - will take to the stage from October 15 to 29, and on Monday performers and festival volunteers and supporters gathered for a special launch event to hear more about the cultural delights that are in store.
Among the launch night highlights, people were able to chat to the cast of the festival's main theatre show, The Eagle Has Two Heads, which is a love story by French playwright Jean Cocteau in which an Austrian queen's would-be assassin falls hopelessly in love with her.
Performers from Total Ensemble Theatre Company also gave a sneak preview of their latest performance, Boy in the Lighthouse, and there was also a mix of music for people to enjoy.
Stash Kirkbride, the festival's artistic director, said: 'We like to do this event six weeks before the festival to really bring to life the festival brochure for people and to raise awareness.
'There is such a variety of projects in this year's festival and we cannot wait to share them with everybody.'
He added: 'It was the most vibrant launch night we have had and people seemed to really enjoy the performances and the profiles of the events that will be part of the festival. It was a really entertaining evening all round.'
Another highlight of this year's Hostry Festival will be the annual Norfolk Arts Awards incorporating the EDP People's Choice Awards voted for by our readers.
The open air competition Paint Out Norwich is also returning for this year's festival and will once again see artists galore celebrating our fine city in paint.
Mr Kirkbride said there were still many different ways people could get involved with the festival.
He said: 'There are lots of volunteer opportunities, from working backstage on the central play The Eagle Has Two Heads to getting involved in Total Ensemble's Boy in the Lighthouse to being a front of house volunteer to volunteering with Paint Out Norwich.'
For more information about being a Hostry Festival volunteer, email info@hostryfestival.org
For more about all of the festival's events, including dates and ticket prices, visit www.hostryfestival.org
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