An exciting line-up of children's theatre is set to entertain families at this year's Wells Theatre Festival, taking place from 19-22 June.

The festival will see the return of popular productions alongside brand-new shows, promising a mix of madcap fun, interactive storytelling, and thought-provoking performances.

Among the highlights is the return of AKA Dance Company's Shed-Ache, which captivated schoolchildren last year with its energetic and comedic performance on the Recreation Ground.

Also making a comeback is the award-winning Scratchworks Theatre Company, bringing a brand-new production, The Mushroom Show. Aimed at children aged five and over, the show explores the fascinating world of fungi—what they are, what they can do, and what humans can learn from them.

Through audience interaction, games, original music, and physical storytelling, the performance looks at the importance of community and the power of asking for help. A post-show workshop will also be available for audiences to take part in.

New to the festival this year is Caprice Theatre, who will present How to Catch a Witch, a heartwarming show for children aged three and up. The production celebrates the magic of libraries, the joy of sharing stories, and the importance of kindness. Featuring live music, puppetry, and engaging storytelling, it promises to be a spellbinding experience for young audiences.

The festival will also see the return of actor and writer Jonathan Guy Lewis, known for his acclaimed play Soldier On, which played to sell-out audiences in the first-ever transformation of Bishop's Barn into a theatre space back in 2010. This year, he will bring a brand-new one-man show exploring mental health.

As always, the festival's centrepiece will be its community theatre production, which this year will be Shakespeare's controversial comedy The Taming of the Shrew, performed inside Bishop's Barn.

Festival organisers are finalising the rest of the programme, with Artistic Director Roe Johnson teasing more exciting announcements to come.

"We are so looking forward to this year's festival," Johnson said. "A lot is still in the planning stages, so watch this space."

Wells Theatre Festival runs from 19-22 June, with priority booking opening in April. More details can be found at www.wellstheatrefestival.org.