Kingston’s International Youth Art Festival is back for its ninth year, with more than 200 events planned and over 30,000 visitors expected.

The UK’s biggest multi-arts festival for performers aged under 27 will include rising stars of theatre, music, comedy, dance, visual arts, circus and carnival.

On Friday, July 7, there will be a preview Opening Night variety show, offering a taster of what is to come.

Shows run until July 16, with this year’s gala performance being attended by the Earl of Wessex, president of the charity that delivers the festival.

The gala show, Sea Stories, will be on July 13 at the Rose Theatre.

It is a musical theatre triple-bill, comprising the Upside Down Sailor, a musical by Roxanna Panufnik and Sir Richard Stilgoe; The Golden Vanity, a short opera for boys’ voices by Benjamin Britten; and Sinbad the Sailor, a jazz oratorio by David Nield and Jeremy James Taylor.

The festival has released a list of highlights:

Kingston RPM Gig: Celebrating the heritage of Kingston – a free day of music headlined by John Coughlan’s Quo (ex-Status Quo). The exciting line-up begins with a musical march from Kingston Bridge to the Market Place at 2pm, and moves to the Rose Theatre from 7pm. Tickets to the gig at the Rose are free but must be booked. (July 8)

Young Folk: Fantastic showcase of award-winning folk musicians including Moore Moss Rutter, Hattie Briggs and Kelly Oliver. (July 10)

Police Cops: Critically acclaimed comedy blockbuster, returning from a sold-out run at Soho Theatre. (July 11, age 16 plus)

Ballet Dreams: Stunning performance from the London Russian Ballet School accompanied by live orchestra. (July 14)

Honk!: Olivier Award-winning musical with its charming take on The Ugly Duckling. (July 15)

Scheherazade: The talented Thames Youth Orchestra joined by artist James Mayhew, bringing Rimsky-Korsakov’s classic to life with live illustration and narration. (July 16)

The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Julie Pickering, said: "The annual International Youth Arts festival in Kingston is home to incredible local and international talent. Sandwiched between the Brighton and Edinburgh fringe festivals, this is our Kingston fringe festival.”

Where to go:

• The Rose Theatre is the festival hub with entertainment each day and night.

• Kingston Market Place for the Visit Kingston Stage: July 8, 9, 15 and 16.y

• Arthur Cotterel Theatre (ACT) and Studio at Kingston College for cutting-edge new work.

For information and ticket enquiries, visit iyafestival.org.uk or the Rose Theatre Box Office.