Theatre, music and street parades on offer in family festival.
The first events in this year’s Lichfield Festival have been revealed and include a wealth and diversity of music, theatre, family events, street parades and more, taking place from 5th-13th July.
A full rundown – including the announcement of a headline act – is yet to come but, to whet the appetite, the Festival has already announced several exciting events.
Cathedral highlights include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, a bespoke Festival concert celebrating Ivor Novello hosted by Russell Grant, choral music from Voces 8 and Kathryn Tickell’s new folk supergroup The Darkening. There’s also an invitation for all to ‘Come and Sing’ one of the greatest and most popular of all choral works, Handel’s Messiah. Black Voices return, this time championing Nina Simone, and MOBO award-nominee Cleveland Watkiss presents a special Nat King Cole evening celebrating the jazz legend’s centenary year.
Elsewhere, there are return visits from theatre company The Malachites and Ballet Cymru, and first encounters with the thrilling West African drummers and musicians Kakatsitsi and musical explorers Kabantu. BBC Young Musician 2018 Lauren Zhangis just one of the fabulous talents in the Young Artists series and comedy includes stand-up from Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Olga Koch.
The Festival Market takes its traditional place on the opening Saturday, followed this year by a Space Parade of giant puppet structures through the city’s streets. The Festival gives a nod to Brexit with a Farewell to Europe theme and also celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing.
Events will be taking place across and beyond the city including some new venues this year, notably Lichfield’s newly-renovated St Mary’s Church and in Abbots Bromley.
The full Lichfield Festival programme will be announced in late March. For further details visit www.lichfieldfestival.org
