Today is the start of another unpredictable fortnight of new beginnings which is Bristol Ferment. This time there is a furry orange monsters living in Stokes Croft, premature babies, hot air balloons, bullets and bass trombones.

Who better to explain Bristol Ferment in more detail than Kate Yedigaroff?

“Here we are once again with another glut of theatrical testing and exploration brought to you by a fistful of inspiring theatre makers currently creating exciting things right here in Bristol.

“A pattern is emerging. Twice yearly we’ve been gathering together these mini festivals of new beginnings, and throwing open the doors to your thoughts and feedback – asking you, our audience, to be a key collaborator in the development of extraordinary new work.

“From these gatherings in July and January we are consistently seeing some wonderful projects continue to develop apace and take flight in all sorts of different ways. Some of you may have been here recently for Adam Peck’s Only, or Tristan Sturrock’s Frankenspine; others may have noticed a scattering of other projects already making their journey from here to other programmes and festivals in Bristol and beyond.

“We’re delighted, for example, that Publick Transport’s Discombobulated premieres at the Tobacco Factory’s Brewery this summer and that Natalie McGrath’s intoxicating new play, Coasting, is being produced right here in the Studio in autumn, both of which have been developed through the Ferment programme.

“And the list goes on, but for now what’s important is that you continue to be right here with us at the beginning, where the seeds are sown.”

For more information, visit http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/ferment2011.html.