“It has been a great privilege to be entrusted with the artistic planning of this year’s 37th Lichfield Festival,” says Guest Artistic Director, Damian Thantrey. “Within Lichfield’s trademark eclectic mix of classical music, folk, jazz, comedy, dance and theatre, we’re particularly delighted to have woven into the Festival a season of events to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage – #ExtraordinaryWomen – which will celebrate the craft of female writers, artists and composers, as well as works written specifically with a woman’s voice in mind.”

The opening Cathedral event on Friday 5th July is an exclusive show from World Champion Latin dancers and Strictly Come Dancing stars Neil and Katya Jones. Designed especially for Lichfield Cathedral, Somnium – A Dancer’s Dream, is based on Neil and Katya’s own story and features exciting choreography, music and a company of internationally-renowned dancers.

Headline performers include the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Edward Gardner, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, restaurant critic and jazz musician Jay Rayner, comedians Tom Allen and Mark Steel, Fascinating Aida’s Liza Pulman and return visits from the hugely popular Malachites Theatre Company and Ballet Cymru.

A theme of Extraordinary Women weaves throughout the Festival while community and family events include the ever-popular Festival Market and Britten’s children’s opera Noye’s Fludde coupled with Holst’s The Planets, preceded by a street parade of giant animal puppets.