ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THE 2016 CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
Canterbury Festival has announced this year ’ s super sized line-up , with events spanning three weeks . Each festival day provides a smorgasbord of entertainment .
Roald Dahl ' s Marvellous Med
Gilbert O Sullivan Oz Clarke © Simon Buck
Canterbury Festival Parade
Discover the city from the ground up with one of the festival walks varying from literary and archaeological , to tours of the city ’ s inns , taverns and blitzed bits . Stop off for lunch at one of the Big Eat Out restaurants , where tantalising meal deals are on offer . Next it ’ s time to drop into one of the many exhibitions taking place across the city before heading to the Cathedral Lodge for a fascinating talk . Don ’ t worry , there ’ s still plenty of time to head out for the evening ’ s music and theatre offering . This really is a cultural pick-andmix , but what to choose ?
Global superstar Gilbert O ’ Sullivan returns to stage , giving his fans a chance to hear some of his number one hits . Firm Classic FM favourite , guitarist Milos with the English Chamber Orchestra Ensemble , en route to the Royal Albert Hall , perform a programme of music spanning the centuries from Bach to Beatles . Olivier awardwinning Showstoppers will entertain you with their incredible performance in which the audience title suggestions are used to create a unique allsinging , all-dancing production .
The ABode Hotel will host The Wedding Reception , an opportunity to become a guest at one of the most hilarious social events of the year . Over at the Spiegeltent , Australian circus troop Circa will take over for three nights with their beautifully crafted physical feats of daring . If you prefer cabaret , fear not , Mistress of Ceremonies Lili la Scala will be in residence along with some of her most beloved cabaret reprobates for two nights .
Whether you are a wine lover , a keen gardener , a historian or even a closet punk , there are plenty of talks that you will find fascinating . Oz Clake will bring his wine wisdom to the table ; the ‘ Gandalf of Gardening ’ Monty Don is coming to help us bloom ; historians David Starkey , Tracy Borman and Kate Williams will span history from the Magna Carta through to the roaring 20s ; and the incredible Wilko Johnson will look back at his life , and is guaranteed to rock your world .
Family activities this October half-term will keep the children very busy . With subjects including Marvellous Medicine , Little Monsters and Magic ’ s Collision with Science , there is plenty to spark the imagination . But it ’ s not just about the children ; this year the festival is delighted to have a family-friendly cabaret show , Variety Soup . Stuffed with wondrous antics and lots of laughs , it is suitable for anyone from 7-107 .
This year the festival will be ofering children the chance to gain an Arts Award Discover Certificate for free ! The Discover Hub will be running alongside the family-friendly shows and will give children the chance to meet the performers , get creative , share their experience , and receive a fabulous Arts Award Discover certificate .
The festival aims to fill every available space with entertainment , even the magnificent Cathedral becomes a canvas for concerts and exhibitions . Look up high in the guard chamber of the Westgate Tower , or down the medieval alleyways and you will find a show or exhibition , not forgetting a visit to the Spiegeltent ( a roaming 1920 ’ s dance hall ), which is returning to the city , oozing glamour and vintage charm .
These highlights are just the tip of the iceberg . With over 200 events taking place during the festival , make sure you take a good look through the festival programme and get scheduling !
For further details visit www . canterburyfestival . co . uk or call the festival office on 01227 452 853 .
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