A production of Shakespeare’s Richard III, a performance by Opera Babes and a diverse programme of music will be among the highlights of the 49th Ludlow Festival.
The event will run from June 21 to July 6 - but there will be few big names because organisers have to cut costs.
Last year’s festival ran up a £42,000 debt because terrible weather caused a slump in ticket sales.
Today Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said he was delighted the full programme had been announced and said he hoped it would be successful. “It is good to see such a diverse and artistically exciting programme for Ludlow Festival this year,” he added.
“Let’s hope the weather will be better than it was last year, which will allow the festival to return to better times.”
Festival chairman Jenny Vaughan said this year’s event would be run in conjunction with a theatre group, the Northcott, which is based in Exeter.
It will be the first time that the festival has organised a link-up with an outside organisation.
The festival will end on July 6 with a concert and fireworks taking place at Ludlow Castle.
Organisers hope the event will be backed by people from across the county.
The event is set to celebrate its golden anniversary in 2009.
One Comment
I have always wanted to see a “proper” band in the castle. Do away with the fireworks and spend a bit more to get someone like, Van Morrison, Paul Weller, Billy Bragg. It would mean so much more publicity for Ludlow and bring in a huge chunk of the town’s people who just don’t connect with the Festival.
They could do a lot more for children and young people. Why not have local food suppliers selling their stuff in the Castle before play performances? Start the play earlier, so that pubs and restaurants gain custom afterwards.
It really does seem stuck in a rut, with the same events over and over again. I know coach trips and opera may be a safe bet and sell out, but they will not gain the support of the next generation.