SATIRICAL soliloquy, rock-n-roll reverie and ditty comes to the New Forest with news that BBC 6 Music & Radio 4 regular Murray Lachlan Young will be performing his stunning new live up-close and personal show – How Freakin’ Zeitgeist Are You? at this year’s Curious Arts Festival.

A delightful romp into the bizarre facets of fame, fashion, people, politics, a mild erotic folk ballad and the space-time continuum, this is unique stand-up comedy/spoken word performance, from one of the very best in the business. Always topical, his show effortlessly addresses the way we live and our trying to make sense of society.

Murray is a playwright, actor, screen-writer and poet-extraodinaire who made his name in rock clubs and underground cabaret venues in London in the 1990s when he was signed to EMI. Celebrated for his hybrid mix of stand-up comedy with delightful commentaries on contemporary life, expect flamboyant, punchy wit, brooding subtext and empathetic humour.

Back for a fourth year this cultural, creative, curious boutique festival for all family features comedy, music and a packed children’s programme.

It includes life drawing, midnight bat walks and cocktail masterclasses, snail racing, poetry workshops, pop-up fine dining and even a cricket match.

Highlights on the music stage include the best of UK singer songwriter talent headlined by Tom Odell and Brit Critics Choice Award winner Izzy Bizu.

This year’s Curious comedy offer will see Mock The Week’s hilarious Ed Byrne join Radio 4 regular Simon Evans, Paul Tonkinson, and Curious comedy favorites the lightning-quick sketch group The Noise Next Door amongst others.

The literary line up stars an unparalleled list of the most talked about and awarded authors of 2017 and the kids programme promises everything from a Jabberwocky Hunt to comedy and puppetry.

It takes place at Pylewell Park near Lymington from July 21 to 23. Tickets from curiousartsfestival.com