The Halesworth Arts Festival has grown over the years to become one of the region’s most popular festivals.

The 13th year of this highly successful north Suffolk festival features 17 events and two art exhibitions.

The festival is known for its wide variety of top rate concerts, comedy and drama and this year is no exception with something for all to enjoy.

The festival begins on Saturday, October 11, with a performance of Kart Jenkins’ “The Armed Man” by Halesworth Festival Voices and Orchestra.

Written for the victims of the Kosovo conflict, the piece was premiered in 2000 and has since been performed more than a thousand times. As the 100th anniversary of the First World War approaches, this profoundly moving work with its powerful message of peace, brings to the festival a unique and uplifting experience.

The concert is being held at St Mary’s Church, Halesworth, at 7.30pm and tickets cost £13.50.

The following day, Sunday, October 12, female octet, Seraphim, will perform “Beautiful Sounds in Beautiful Places” at Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh, at 4.30pm, with tickets costing £12.50.

From then on the events are being held at The Cut, Halesworth.

At 7.30pm on Sunday two grand legends in the world of folk, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick, present a new collection of traditional songs and instrumentals. Tickets £14.50.

Highlights include Sarah Fox and James Burton with songs from the Cole Porter Songbook, a brilliant re-telling of The Canterbury Tales and the Carducci String Quartet with music by Mozart, Shostakovich and Dvorak.

On Thursday, October 16, one of this country’s finest actors will star in “The Man Jesus”.

Simon Callow, one of Britain’s best-loved actors, performs this fresh and moving account of biblical stories including the raising of Lazarus, the wedding at Cana and the journey to Jerusalem. His powerful portrayal of the tyrants, traitors and madmen in Jesus’ life asks people of all faiths and none: what sort of a man was able to inspire the history of the world?

Thought-provoking, thrilling and full of wit, this production premiered to great acclaim at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, and now embarks on a strictly limited UK tour.

Friday, October 17, sees a violin recital by Tamsin Waley-Cohen including works by Beethoven, Ravel and Gershwin.

Tamsin performs as a soloist with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan, BBCCO, and London Chamber Orchestra.

Saturday, October 18, sees “Eric and Little Ern” starring Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens as they create their Morecambe and Wise West End hit.

Together they make a brilliant comedy that recreates the all-ages appeal of Morecambe and Wise in their heyday.

Other highlights include performances by Georgie Fame and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra concert on October 26 is “Tunes of Glory” and marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War with popular songs of the time including “Pack Up Your Troubles”, “Tipperary” and “Keep The Home Fires Burning”.

Tickets can be booked online at the Festival website www.halesworthartsfestival.org.uk, by post, by phone on 01986 874264 or in person at the Festival Box Office at The Cut.