Get ready for the fourth annual Shiny New Festival

Lantern Theatre Liverpool is playing host to its annual pre-Edinburgh theatre event Shiny New Festival for the fourth year this July - and is also teaming up with Manchester's 24:7 new writing fest. From July 27 to August 2, audiences will be treated to three shows per night from some of the North West's up-and-coming fringe talents. The festival, founded in 2012 by Shiny New director and Lantern tech supremo Pete Mitchelson has gone from strength to strength in the past four years: "With an eclectic mix of performances from new writing to bouffon clowning there is something for everyone at Shiny New Festival," he says. This year's line up includes the new collaboration with Manchester’s 24:7 Theatre Festival, which will see four plays from that programme transferring to the Lantern. Annika Edge of 24:7 said: “This exciting collaboration connects two unique festivals and demonstrates there are further opportunities for new plays in the North West.” Acts that audiences can expect to see throughout the festival include Liverpool performers Teatro Pomodoro, Man with a Porpoise and Farucchio Peru is Extraordinaire, who recently took part in Physical Fest (which MADEUP completely missed this year - for shame). There will also be a host of new writing for audiences, including plays focusing on the marriage of Frank Sinatra and Ava Garner (One for my Baby); society's increasing use of social media (Follow/Unfollow); and a comic play based on what is seen by cleaners in an office (Cleaners). Full line up and ticket details can be found on the Lantern's website. Tickets range from £6-10 with savings for those who would like to see all three shows in one day.