A FIVE-DAY arts festival with a Brazilian theme opens at Chelsea Theatre next Thursday (November 24).

This year's Sacred festival combines music, drama and dance, with performances inspired by everything from compiling a mix CD for your ex's funeral to discovering a mysterious old postcard.

There's a special Brazilian link this year, with a number of artists heading over from Rio de Janeiro.

Flying Down to Rio, an interactive dancehall-themed performance, and a piece by Thelma Bonavita, which uses fruit and balloons to recapture the spirit of 60s movement Tropicalia, are among the shows adding a South American twist to proceedings.

Francis Alexander, artistic director at Chelsea Theatre, said: "This year we are thrilled to host the best of new theatre from the sultry climes of Rio and the South of France.

"Join us to watch Thelma Bonavita dancing the night away in the Brazil of the 1960s and witness local boy Marc Almond team up with ace French Chanteurs Othon and Tomasini, for a grand finale of luscious '50s pop."

For a full line-up of events taking place as part of Sacred, visit www.chelseatheatre.org.uk.