Karen gets the lowdown from Nick Wells, the Festival organiser on what to expect at this year’s Bury St Edmunds Festival (9-25 May). Keen to focus on the contemporary rather than the traditional, Karen finds out that there’s something for everyone, whatever your age or background. It’s going to be popular, so best book up now!
The Bury St Edmunds Festival is one of the major highlights of the region and this year will be no different in attracting locals out of their homes as well as tourists from further afield, for two weeks of fun, fancies and frolics.
Over coffee in The Lounge, Nick Wells outlines that the Festival will kick off with the wonderful opening on Angel Hill, where 3000 people are expected to gather to enjoy the traditional Beating Retreat Ceremony and as usual it will end with the popular tribute bands finale in the Abbey Gardens.
If that isn't exciting enough, you should also see what’s coming up in-between, because this year the festival is cooler than ever, and it starts with what Nick describes as “the junkiest funkiest band around” with Weapons of Sound playing in the Abbey Gardens on the opening night, engaging almost 200 children in Junk Funk, using “instruments” made out of a whole range of recycled waste.
So what else is new?
"We're also featuring the inaugural visit from The Urban Playground" smiles Nick, "with Free-Running and contemporary dance performances taking place outside the more traditional setting of the borough offices."
I smile back and wonder whether the free-runners will attempt to jump onto the borough offices and the rooftops that run along Angel Hill. Nick reassures me that on no account will the borough officials or the residents get such a fright. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or not. It could be rather exciting.
Nick politely interrupts my wild imagination to add "The Theatre Royal is also contributing to the fun of the festival with stand-up comedians Jo Brand and Simon Amstell and Lucy Porter returns to the stage at the Fat Cat Comedy Club following her successful gig last year."
I am now distracted by the excitement that Jo Brand is coming to town. What could beat this?
I soon find out as Nick continues "Another new and exciting feature on this year’s calendar is the World Cinema Series at The Hollywood, including award winning films such as Volver which stars Penelope Cruz."
Nick is pleased with the cinema element included in this year's programme. Even though he is venturing into new territory, he is pleased with the results and his sure his hard work will pay off.
Despite my interest in the contemporary scene, there is no getting away from the fact that the Bury St Edmunds Festival holds its roots in the more traditional and classical genres. This indeed should be celebrated, so I ask Nick for his recommendations, more specifically, to point me in the direction of one event that should not be missed.
Perhaps it was unfair to ask him to highlight one thing from a whole treasure box of events, but I am inspired by his recommendation:
"If you’re keen to experience the more traditional classical side of the festival" explains Nick, "perhaps even for the very first time, there is no better place to start than the Russian State Symphony Orchestra at the cathedral, where the power and energy of the orchestra is guaranteed to be rousing. "
Not being a natural fan of classical music, I would have normally given this a miss, but I am now inspired to book up.
It is so easy to be enthused by Nick's account of this year's programme. He too is classical yet cool and there is no doubt that he is the best person for the job.
One thing’s for sure, while we’re all enjoying the entertainment that the Bury St Edmunds Festival offers, Nick Wells will certainly not be putting up his feet and relaxing. He will be busy planning next year’s performances, and having already had an insight into the 2009 programme, I guarantee that next year, you’ll be coming back for more.
More information can be found at www.buryfestival.co.uk.
Box office: 01284 769505
Submitted by Karen, April 2008
