SOUTHEND fringe festival is back after a four year break, with promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The event, spread across two venues, will feature live music, theatre, comedy, drama, storytelling and more.

It has been organised by students at East 15 Acting School’s Southend campus, in Elmer Approach, to give up and coming performers the chance to showcase their talents.

They want to share their passion for theatre with the community.

Chelsey Lee, second year BA physical theatre student at East 15, and a marketing team member at Southend Fringe Festival, said: “It’s a landmark for the East 15 and certainly promises to be an event you won't want to miss. Featuring local and student acts, live bands and more.

“Our goal is to harvest tomorrow’s talent today, giving students the exposure and experience they would usually find in the work place.

“There once was a smaller scale Southend Fringe Festival which unfortunately ended in 2011. However, due to the ever rising talent that East 15 is harbouring, we want to rekindle Southend’s theatrical potential with this pilot project.”

The festival will take place from 6.30pm on Sunday, July 3 in the Southend Conservative Club, on Clarence Street, and O'Neill's music hall, off the High Street.

In previous years, the event has been spread out across up to three weeks.

Each venue will be given a different theme, which are yet to be announced.

Chelsey, 23, from Westcliff, added: “Who knows how big it could be in years to come? What sets us apart from the old festival is our attempt to fuse East 15 Acting School students with the public, which has never been done before.

“What an opportunity for talent outside of London and the community to be more involved with it's local education.

“Our campus has been hidden away in sunny Southend since 2000 and we think it’s about time we used our knowledge of the arts to engage the local community.”

East 15 Acting School, which also has a campus in Loughton, has been producing actors, directors, and theatre technicians such as director Stephen Daldry and actor Blake Harrison for over 50 years.

For more information, email southendfringefest@gmail.com