A FORENSIC examination of the highs and horrors of binge drinking is behind The Paper Birds performance of Thirsty at the Trestle Arts Base in St Albans this Saturday.

A hit from the Edinburgh Fringe 2011, it mixes verbatim text from real life – and often hazy – confessions alongside live music and physical performance.

The company set up a hotline where hundreds left stories ranging from bizarre stag night excess to sexual abuse and even accidental deaths.

But the performance of a country’s love affair with booze remains objective in its investigation of the highs and lows.

The performance begins at 7.30pm at Trestle in Russet Drive.

Tickets are �12/�10 or �40 for four, available on 01727 859050 or go to www.trestle.org.uk

A curious romance is how Trestle describes The Alchemystorium, a caf� which dispenses coffee in a highly-unusual fashion as well as offering a supernatural service.

It can be seen at 2.30pm on Sunday and uses silent physical comedy, visuals and puppetry to access a world of absurd magic.

The Alchemystorium is being performed by Gomito a collaboration of performers, artists and musicians.

Tickets are �10/�8 and �32 for a family of four.