The 2008 Arundel Festival will take place between Friday 22 August and Sunday 29 August 2008 in the historic town of Arundel.
This year the Festival has an even more eclectic feel and all-round audience appeal, with rock, folk and classical music topping the picnic concert bills, and opera and Shakespeare being performed in the Castle and its grounds. Also new this year, all the concerts are now picnic-style, enabling concertgoers to bring their own picnics, or to partake of the catering and refreshment choices on site.
Ten days of the best music, theatre, art and comedy starts on Friday 22 August 2008 with rock folk band The Levellers, originally from nearby Brighton and celebrating 20 years in the business this year. Also on the bill for the Friday is Seth Lakeman, up and coming in the folk roots scene and winner of Folk Singer of the year. Support is provided by Cornish band, 3 Daft Monkeys, whose dynamic take on world music is enhanced by rousing vocals and accomplished fiddling, 12-string guitar, dancing bass and foot drum.
Tickets are £28 in advance (£35 on the gate); 5–15-year-olds, £15 advance (£20 on the gate), under-5s free (no ticket required). Gates open 5.30pm, show starts at 7pm. Picnics are allowed, catering and refreshments are also available.
Saturday 23 August sees a very special concert indeed. ‘The Music of Queen – A Rock & Symphonic Spectacular’ brings together a full rock band and stars from the West End smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ and the 60-piece English National Orchestra to perform some simply stunning and awesome arrangements of the rock group’s many great hits. In a fitting fashion, the evening will end with an amazing firework finale, lighting up the Castle.
Tickets are £30 in advance; 5–15-year-olds, £20 advance under-5s free (no ticket required). Gates open 5.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm, fireworks finale at approx. 10.30pm. Picnics are allowed, catering and refreshments are also available.
On Sunday 24 August, popular Yorkshire-born soprano Lesley Garrett entertains with a programme of classical favourites and more recent songs. She will be accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Philip Ellis, and joined by a special guest artist.
Tickets are £30 in advance (£35 on the gate); 5–15year-olds, £20 in advance (£15 on the gate), under-5s free (no ticket required). Gates open 5.30pm, show starts at 7pm. Picnics are allowed, catering and refreshments are also available.
Theatre is also an important part of the festival programme and on Wednesday 27August Mozart’s delightful and popular light opera ‘Cosi fan Tutte’ will be performed in full costume with original music by Candlelight Opera in the magnificent Barons’ Hall in Arundel Castle.
Performance starts at 8.00pm and tickets cost £45.
The Shakespeare performance this year is particularly apt as ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will be performed in the new Earl’s Garden, with its Oberon’s Palace, on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August. Of all of Shakespeare’s plays, this comedy is particularly well suited to outdoor performance and The British Shakespeare Company is sure to create a magical evening. Performance starts 7.30 and tickets cost £25 Adults and £15 (5–15year-olds) in advance.
Please see:
www.arundelfestival.co.uk
www.imlconcerts.co.uk
www.candlelightopera.co.uk
www.britishshakespearecompany.com
