NEW artistic development platform Performance Lab will host cutting edge performances at this year’s Basingstoke Festival.

Proteus Theatre Company has selected some of the best new and emerging artists and companies to showcase new works in development at Proteus Creation Space. This exciting initiative gives audiences the opportunity to help shape the future of new British theatre.

This is a unique opportunity to meet artists and help them create their best work through post-show Q&A sessions. A number of the performances promote local talent, featuring writers, theatre makers and performers from the Hampshire area.

Performance Lab kicks off tonight, Wednesday June, 25 with Baggage by WhyAreWeWhispering, a company formed of two Basingstoke-based creatives, writer Lydia Thomson and director Ben Mills.

This ambitious new play reaches across time, form and style to tell the story of a woman's battle with the emotional grip of her past on an uncertain future.

Dust, an epic tale of the miniscule told through projection, movement and new writing, will be performed by Strange Arrangements on Wednesday, July 2, followed by Falling Upwards by Kaveh Rahnama on Wednesday, July 9.

This playful, quirky and exciting new show for 5 – 7 year olds uses circus, dance, and a touch of gravitation pull to explore Newton's Laws of Motion.

Saturday July 5 showcases the talents of another Basingstoke creative, Stephen Love, who will be directing Little Red. This new piece explores the story behind the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.

The final Performance Lab on Saturday July 12 explores the effects of Alzheimers on three generations of women from the same family. Performed by Pursued by a Bear Productions, Sundowning was written by promising playwright Nessah Muthy.

Tickets for each Performance Lab showing are £3, or you can pick up a Performance Lab Pass to enjoy all five shows for the price of four.

Visit proteustheatre.com or call 01256 354541 for more information.