Collaborations Festival of Ideas returns to Smock Alley this month, to once again provide an environment where emerging artists can challenge themselves to create new work.

This month, emerging artists and playwrights will be showcasing their talents on the Smock Alley stage. “We want to create a platform where emerging artists can present work, and more established theatre makers could try something completely new,” say organisers. “Creating a community of support and the right kind of feedback has proved a winning formula in the past, having many shows from Collaborations past go on to be Fringe successes and award winners.”

Among the dozens of productions being staged at the festival, here is our top picks of LGBT interest.

Grace & Maggie – Feb 21 and 22

The story of two young lovers struggling to preserve a monogamous relationship when faced with everyday social anxieties, prejudices of the past and uncertainty of the future.

A Peculiar Arrangement – March 3 and 4

An off-beat tragi-comedy about learning to appreciate the simple things in life and about love fighting to endure against social stigma and assumed personal shame.

Who’s a Pretty… [Insert Gender Here] on February 18 and 19

Stephen grew up with Action-Man and aspIrations of being the next James Bond. Shaunna grew up with Barbie and an unhealthy obession with Britney Spears. Did this early exhibition of the perfect man & woman impact their adult life?

For more information visit Smock Alley.