For ten days each August, the beautiful market town of Arundel is transformed by this broad-ranging arts festival.

Expect an extravaganza of concerts, street theatre, art gallery trails, open-air theatre and more.

This year, the theme is love, celebrating "all that the human heart can offer, in its complexity, joy and passion."

Here are our theatre highlights:

Romeo and Juliet, Arundel Castle, August 19-24
Audiences can expect beautiful costumes and a classic production of Shakespeare's tragic tale of starcrossed teen lovers. Set in the natural, open air amphitheatre in the castle grounds with a marble effect stage surrounded by trees, this is a perfect setting for the play. Bring a rug and a picnic to enjoy before you take your seats.

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16/£15.

La Traviata, Baron's Hall, August 20
Opera Box present Verdi's opera. Featuring singers of the highest calibre and a brilliant orchestra, this 19th-Century opera will be presented in full costume in the opulent surroundings of the Baron's Hall at the heart of Arundel Castle.

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £40.

One Soldier's Tale, Arundel Parish Church, August 23
A one-man performance of Igor Stravinsky's intriguing tale of love and duty, The Soldier's Tale concerns a soldier, who, returning home from war, chances upon a stranger who offers to buy his violin. The stranger turns out to be the devil and the violin a manifestation of the soldier's soul.

Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12.

Theatre Trail, Arundel Festival, August 20-27, presented by Drip Action.

Drip Action Theatre's trail takes place throughout Arundel, in secret gardens, cafes and the kitchen of an open-house.

There are eight one-act plays performed every day, on the hour, every hour from 11am to 6pm.

This year's plays include:

Video And Juliet, by Simon Brett.

A Comic tale of crossed lines for star crossed lovers in fair Verona.

Frequently Asked Questions, by Lauretta Tomlinson.

A poignant story about a tour guide and a statue and their differing perspectives.

White Lies, by Mary English.

Drama ensues when a son threatens to fail his final medical exams and his mother enlists the help of his girlfriend.

Dream Toppings, by Trevor Harvey.

Comic negotiations when a pizza delivery woman offers a little bit extra.

Isn't The Water Lovely Today? By John McDwyer.

A waitress observes the growing relationship between two of her customers.

Sunshine Smile, by Christopher Hedgethorne.

A weather girl's monologue.

Just You Wait, by Tonya James.

Tale of the unexpected as an ingenuous pupil turns the tables on her teacher.

Starch, by Geoff Saunders.

Monologue from a fortyish accountant, Charles: My life with an iron and several stiff shirts.

Tickets £4/£3 on the door. Plays run from Saturday, August 20 to Saturday, August 27. Details from Arundel Festival Fringe box office, Waxlights, Maltravers Street, Arundel. Call 01903 889821. Tickets cost £4/£3.