Programme set for city festival

More than 200 performances will take place at over 70 venues

The programme has been announced for this year's four-day Merchant City Festival in Glasgow.

More than 200 performances of theatre, music, comedy, fashion, visual arts and film will take place in over 70 venues in the city's "cultural quarter".

The festival, which runs from 25 to 28 September, coincides with the opening of the Tron Theatre's new season.

Last year's event attracted more than 55,000 people. Many of the performances are free of charge.

Jenny Eclair, Jeremy Hardy and Jim Jeffries are among the better-known comedians at this year's festival.

Scottish Opera will be performing in the Merchant City's bars and lanes and there will be shows from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The BAFTA Scotland Winners' Night will also be held during the four-day event.

'Festival flourish'

Work from new Scottish designers will be featured in a "Retro Catwalk Show".

The festival's artistic director, Neil Butler, said: "This is the seventh year of the Merchant City Festival which has seen it flourish into one of the most exciting and vibrant multi-arts platforms in Scotland.

"This has enabled audiences from far and wide to get a real taste of what is happening in Scottish arts and culture.

"Our programme encompasses Scotland's national companies and selected programmes from the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the National Review of Live Art and BAFTA Scotland.

"From mainland Europe, we also showcase selections from acclaimed festivals in France, Spain and Austria."

The full programme is available on the Merchant City Festival website.