DAYSOUT
SEASONAL SNEAK PEEK :
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
2023
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL IS KENT ’ S LEADING INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL . THE CHARITY AIMS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE POSITIVE , CREATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR THE LOCAL AND WIDER COMMUNITY AND ATTRACTS AROUND 60,000 VISITORS TO THE CITY EACH YEAR . THIS YEAR THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL RUNS FROM 26 SEPTEMBER – 4 NOVEMBER AND PRESENTS A PROGRAMME OF MUSIC , CIRCUS , THEATRE , DANCE , CABARET , LITERARY TALKS , SCIENCE , FAMILY EVENTS , VISUAL ARTS AND HISTORIC WALKS – INVITING PERFORMERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO INSPIRE AUDIENCES FROM SOUTH EAST ENGLAND AND BEYOND .
This year , Canterbury Festival welcomes back Luxmuralis , who follow up their spectacular sonet-lumiere experience Shine : Let There Be Light at Canterbury Cathedral with a thrilling opening to this year ’ s Canterbury festival – Renaissance from 26 – 30 September .
From 20 October – 4 November , the festival presents a month ’ s worth of events to cater for every taste . This year ’ s opening concert welcomes one of the UK ’ s greatest choirs , Tallis Scholars , who celebrate their 50th birthday . Meanwhile , music legend Ruby Turner and her band hit the stage at The Great Hall with an unbeatable night of soul , gospel and R & B .
Following her 2020 Beethoven marathon , pianist Joanna MacGregor makes a triumphant return , performing a specially curated Schubert series , and UK legend Gabrielle performs an intimate concert packed full of hits as part of her 30 Years of Dreaming tour .
Across the festival , other highlights include legendary Scottish contemporary folk trailblazers Peatbog Faeries , Dutch quintet Släpstick delivering an extravaganza of physical comedy , and music with Schërzo and Rob Broderick aka
Abandoman who brings his ‘ relentlessly hilarious ’ ( The Times ) show Discography to town , presenting an improvised musical comedy experience that will blow your socks off .
If that wasn ’ t enough , there ’ s more comedy with stand-up legends Rich Hall , Hal Cruttenden and Britain ’ s favourite French dead-pan comedian , Marcel Lucont .
This year ’ s Talks and Science series welcomes speakers on history , travel , the environment and more . Highlights include the UK ’ s foremost female travel writer Sara Wheeler ; Geopolitics expert Tim Marshall on the exploration and exploitation of space ; Royal Shakespeare Company director Gregory Doran ; Helen Czerski with Blue Machine ; and Sir David Haslam on a lifetime as a doctor , patient and healthcare leader .
With venues including Canterbury Cathedral , Kent College ’ s Great Hall , The Malthouse at The King ’ s School and Westgate Hall , Canterbury ’ s most ambitious festival unifies the city ’ s cultural hubs and invites audiences of all ages and backgrounds to be inspired , delighted and stunned .
Through their public engagement work , the festival engages young emerging musicians , writers , performers , artists and a variety of other creative disciplines – from stage management to visual arts . Participants have the opportunity to take part in development sessions with industry professionals , perform as part of the festival programme and support festival events , as well as partake in further opportunities designed to develop their creative career .
As an independent charity , sponsorship is crucial and Canterbury Festival is incredibly proud to have support from a broad range of trusts , organisations and businesses . 2023 marks Canterbury Christ Church University ’ s thirteenth year as partner and principal sponsor of Canterbury Festival . This long-running partnership has enabled a close-knit bond that celebrates , showcases and champions arts and culture in the city .
You can explore the full programme by picking up a copy of the brochure from the Festival Office , 8 Orange Street , Canterbury CT1 2JA , or by visiting canterburyfestival . co . uk .
canterburyfestival . co . uk
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