ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL 2024
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL IS KENT ’ S LEADING ARTS FESTIVAL . THE CHARITY AIMS TO ENCOURAGE AND PROVIDE POSITIVE , CREATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR THE LOCAL AND WIDER COMMUNITY , ATTRACTING AROUND 60,000 VISITORS TO THE CITY EACH YEAR THROUGH EVENTS AND A YEAR- ROUND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME .
From 19 October – 2 November , the festival returns celebrating its 40th birthday , presenting a stacked programme with music , theatre , comedy , talks , science , family shows and much more . This year ’ s event is packed full of unique experiences to share with friends and family , bringing colour and energy to the city this autumn .
For classical lovers , concerts include Tenebrae performing Joby Talbot ’ s modern masterpiece , Path of Miracles . Don ’ t miss Secret Byrd - an immersive concert and theatre piece taking place in Canterbury Cathedral ’ s Eastern Crypt . In addition , the festival is delighted to welcome the exceptionally talented Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason .
Meanwhile indie-pop troubadours The Feeling visit with an intimate concert at the Great Hall , the Oysterband and June Tabor bid farewell in style on their final tour , and The Shires perform an intimate acoustic concert as part of their The Two of Us tour . Other music must-sees include the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain , the BBC Big Band with a swinging celebration of Gershwin and Alabama 3 Acoustic .
This year ’ s performance lineup welcomes comedy legend Rory Bremner , Irish comedian Keith Farnan , The Comedy Store Players , and America ’ s Got Talent winner and Las Vegas resident artist , Tape Face .
Theatre lovers can enjoy a clowning exploration of Hamlet in Alas ! Poor Yorick , One Way Out presents a powerful drama exploring young British Caribbean people ’ s experiences of the Windrush crisis , and , in Best Man , an improvised wedding speech spirals wildly and hilariously out of control .
This year ’ s ‘ Talks ’ series includes Geopolitics expert Tim Marshall on the exploration and exploitation of space ; Samuel Graydon on Einstein ; John Bowers KC on the scandals of the Johnson era ; Bettany Hughes on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World ; and Frances Tophill on making the most of your garden space .
The ‘ Science ’ strand welcomes Luca Viganò with Fairy Tales , Cybersecurity and AI , then continues with retired head of forensic investigation at Scotland Yard , David Tadd ; wildlife inspector David Roberts on tracking illegal wildlife traffickers ; and Maggie
Aderin-Pocock presents The Story of the Solar System .
The October half term is packed full of family fun including magician and comedian El Baldiniho , Edinburgh Fringe hit Mr Sleepybum and the Trash Test Dummies Circus delivering a dump-truck full of hilarity and physical feats .
As an independent charity , the festival would like to thank the loyal support of their sponsors , funders , patrons , members , volunteers and audiences – without whom this year ’ s events would not be possible . They are delighted to share that Paul Roberts Canterbury is this year ’ s partner and principal sponsor with headline sponsors Kent College , Canterbury Christ Church University , University of Kent and Craven Street Wealth , plus 27 other businesses across the Canterbury community .
You can explore the full programme by visiting canterburyfestival . co . uk .
www . insidekent . co . uk • 31