Free creative activities and live theatre are in store this summer in four Play Days.

The Play Days will take place as part of the national Play Day initiative, which celebrates children's right to play and whose theme this year is 'Play - the culture of childhood. Supporting play, fun and friendships'.

The South Somerset offering is the fruit of a collaboration between the Octagon Theatre, Westlands Entertainment Venue and regional and national organisations.

The Play Days will take place in parks and recreation grounds from 11am to 3pm.

Activities on offer include music-making, air-drying pottery, face painting, and circus skills.

Regional and national touring theatre companies will join the Play Days to perform a free live outdoor theatrical production.

Tit for Tat Circus Theatre Company will perform on the first Play Day, on Wednesday, August 7, at Mudford Rec in Yeovil.

The juggling company's show concerns four bedraggled book enthusiasts on a mission to protect literature.

Further scheduled performances include Bin Rat!!! by The Last Baguette Company, on Tuesday, August 13 at Cale Park in Wincanton.

The show explores our relationship with our waste and where it goes.

On Thursday, August 15, aKa Dance will entertain in Langport, alongside the River Parrett at Cocklemoor.

Their show, shed-ache, features two dancers and a shed on wheels.

aKa Dance's shed-ache sees actors contending with downpours and lava floorsaKa Dance's shed-ache sees actors contending with downpours and lava floors (Image: Luke Taylor)

The fourth and final Play Day will be in Chard at Jocelyn Park on Thursday 29th August, where Autin Dance will make an appearance with their 13-foot giant puppet.

Regional activities and services promoting at the Play Days and offering additional activities include Freedom Leisure, Young Somerset, Somerset Libraries, the Fire Service, Somerset Skills and Learning, and Children’s Autism Outreach Team.

The Play Days in the region were made possible by The Octagon Theatre's becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), which led to an investment of £760,000 to support arts and cultural activities in Somerset from 2023 to 2026.

Thanks to Somerset Community Foundation, Yeovil Town Council, Wincanton Town Council and Langport Town Council, each Play Day will be free to attend.