Press release 26 August 2009
The 2010 Much Wenlock Festival to be held for three weeks in June next year has just been launched with the bold aim of offering “Arts for Everyone” intending to appeal to all ages and tastes.
The launch event took place at Twenty Twenty Gallery on 25 August 2009 and the festival was officially opened by Shirley Tart MBE.
Chair, Pippa Walker, says “Over the past 20 years our Festival has built up a substantial and enthusiastic following. We have been described as “ England at its’ best” and we take great pride in offering quality events alongside an open air production of Shakespeare, by the renowned Shropshire Drama Company (SDC), in the centre of our beautiful medieval town.”
Many of the events have already been planned and at their heart is going to be the Festival play which will run throughout the middle week of the festivities. After a number of submissions SDC have been unanimous in their decision to stage the ever popular Romeo and Juliet. Directors for the play, Joanna Purslow and Rosalind Garrard, say “We aim to accentuate the youth and vibrancy of the characters and make the most of the light, colourful summer setting”. The directors are especially keen to introduce new, younger talent to “tap in” to an even wider audience.
Other notable events, that are being finalised, will include an open air concert in the grounds of the Wenlock Priory, by kind permission of English Heritage, a literary evening at a local country house residence, a ceramic tile exhibition in the historic Guildhall, an artists’ day and the ever popular “open gardens” of Much Wenlock. To close the events there will be a grand Festival Finale on Windmill Hill with music and laughter drifting over the beautiful summer scene.
2010 also sees the launch of “Festival Fringe” with the stated aim of “making the town buzz over one of the festival weekends”. In keeping with more famous “Fringes” all manner of live and participative activities are being planned for everyone who visits Wenlock to enjoy with the added bonus that all Fringe events are to be free.
To provide regular supporters and newcomers alike with an even better experience “Festival Friends” has been introduced. This offers priority booking, ticket promotions, VIP Friends events and more for a nominal annual membership fee – details here
In recent times Much Wenlock has gained fame and recognition through Dr William Penny Brookes for his role in the establishment of the modern Olympic Games. Pippa enthuses “Our role is to similarly raise everyone’s awareness of the Festival so that we can fulfil our desire to provide “Arts for everyone” in our wonderful countryside idyll”.
Photos from 2008
Photo highlights from the 2008 Festival can be seen here
Future Festival Dates
2010 June 5 – June 27
2012 June 2 – June 23 (Olympic Year Festival*)
* As the birthplace of the modern Olympic movement 2012 will be an important year for Much Wenlock. For further information regarding plans for 2012 please contact the Festival Committee.
