As Royston Arts Festival draws to a close this weekend, an illuminating series of performances by popular amateur dramatics society CADS promises to keep the carnival flame burning bright.

Royston Crow: The Tree of LightThe Tree of Light (Image: Archant)

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Royston Arts Festival – Illumination – members are gearing up for a run of performances in two halves starting from tomorrow evening.

The first half of each show will be Peter Shaffer’s 1960s-set one act play Black Comedy, which tells the story of one rather complicated evening in the life of aspiring artist Brindsley Miller.

He and his fiancée Carol await the arrival of his prospective father-in-law Colonel Melkett and millionaire art collector Mr Bamberger, in the hope of impressing both. Needless to say, the evening does not quite go as planned.

It’s time to sit back and relax in the second half, and be entertained by a selection of music, readings and sketches, all on the theme of light and enlightenment.

Royston Crow: The Tree of Light decorations were made by school children from Royston schools.The Tree of Light decorations were made by school children from Royston schools. (Image: Archant)

David Atkins, who is directing the play alongside wife Louise and Kathy Young, said: “The cast and crew are looking forward to staging the production and have been working hard in recent months to prepare.”

Tickets are available online at www.cadsroyston.org, and are priced at £10 and £5 for full time students.

The performances are being staged at Meridian School, where there is plenty of parking available, and there will be a bar selling refreshments during the evening.

Another not-to-be-missed event is the Royston Arts Society exhibition, which will be held in Royston Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm.

Royston Crow: The camper van stageThe camper van stage (Image: Archant)

Visitors will be able to enjoy framed and unframed original art, prints, greeting cards, portraits, landscapes, abstracts, textile art, mixed media, watercolours, acrylics, oils, pen and ink, pastels, line drawings and more.

Artist Stacey Leigh said: “The Royston Art Society’s amateur and professional artists have created a veritable feast for viewers and collectors alike.”

A great talking point during the festival is the beautiful Tree of Light display which sits in Royston Library.

The tree and all its decorations have been crafted by pupils from Royston schools.

Royston Crow: The camper van stageThe camper van stage (Image: Archant)

Royston Crow: Getting crafty at the museum.Getting crafty at the museum. (Image: Archant)