Fowey Festival of Words and Music

Fowey Festival of Words and Music - what's it all about?

This eclectic festival of literature, music and performance has an exciting programme of talks, exhibitions, workshops, guided walks, river cruises and community activities attracts the great and the good from the world of literature, music and entertainment. To top it all it takes place in Fowey, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

2013 Fowey Festival headline acts

Tickets for the first announced evening shows of the 2013 festival are now on sale:

Thursday 9 May - Duchy Opera presents - Baron Herzog’s Box of Operatic Delights
Cornwall’s leading opera company joins forces with the irascible and indefatigable Baron Herzog (once described as Europe’s most wanted man!) for an irreverent introduction to opera. Baron Herzog’s Box of Operatic Delights features chorus and soloists from Duchy Opera, which has been thrilling and delighting audiences with their innovative and refreshing productions of new works and opera classics for over 30 years. This performance will include pieces from Georges Bizet’s ‘Carmen’, Franz Lehar’s ‘The Merry Widow’, Donizetti’s ‘L’elisir D’amore’, and the Act II Finale from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and other solos and arias.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6163 

Saturday 11 May - The National Youth Jazz Orchestra
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra is one of Britain’s longest running and most successful ensembles. It is world-famous as a showcase for the country’s best young musicians destined to become the next UK Jazz Generation. Alumni include Guy Barker, Dennis Rollins, Julian Arguelles, Amy Winehouse and Chris Dagley. NYJO provides an uplifting evening’s entertainment, celebrating the jazz big band sound.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6161

Saturday 11 May 2013 - “War Horse” author  Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo’s astonishing collection of children’s books has enchanted a whole generation – and elevated him to the status of “national treasure”. His worldwide sensation “War Horse” was adapted for the stage by the National Theatre and for Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film. He will be discussing his book “A Medal For Leroy” – inspired by the true story of Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British army.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6196

Sunday 12 May 2013 - Ken Livingstone
Former MP, London Mayor, wit and raconteur Ken Livingstone. Ken Livingstone’s extraordinary political career has taken him from MP to London Mayor to respected political commentator and broadcaster.  His fervent left wing views brought him under heavy scrutiny in the 1980s from a mainstream media. During two terms as Mayor of London he won widespread public praise, introducing bus and cycle lanes into the capital and launching the world famous Oyster card scheme.  His defeat in 2008 to Boris Johnson has given him time to publish his autobiography – “You Can’t Say That” – and he will be bringing spirited and entertaining conversation to the Festival as befitting one of the UK’s leading political figures of the past 30 years. 

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6197

Monday 13 May - Seann Walsh & Josh Widdicombe
Two of the UK’s brightest young comedians in one night! Seann Walsh has been described as charming, charismatic and as one of the most frighteningly precocious talents to emerge on the UK comedy circuit in ages. His sharp, creative observational comedy makes him a certainty for stardom, having been described by Time Out as “… this generation’s Dylan Moran”. Devon-born, Josh Widdicombe is regarded as one of the country’s best up-and-coming acts.  Josh has supported Stephen Merchant, Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges and Michael McIntyre.  Josh’s humour is not dissimilar to McIntyre’s, finding comedy in daily life and making us laugh out loud at life’s absurdities. Both are regulars on shows such as Live at the Apollo, Eight Out of Ten Cats, Mock The Week, Argumental and Stand Up For the Week. 

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6162

Tuesday 14 May 2013 - Lau
Fresh from winning BBC Radio 2’s Best Folk Band for an unprecedented fourth time Scottish trio Lau have made the Fowey Festival of Words and Music their only scheduled South West gig this year. The contemporary folk three-piece named after an Orcadian word for “natural light” will be on stage at the Festival’s tented village joining an international line-up of actors, authors, musicians and comedians converging on the stunning Cornish harbour town for the eleven day festival.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6183

Friday 17 May - YolanDa Brown and her Band
The charismatic YolanDa Brown will be bringing her award winning mix of jazz, soul and reggae to the Festival. The double MOBO Award-winning saxophonist is widely regarded as the emerging “voice” of mainstream jazz in the UK. She has toured with The Temptations, Errol Brown, Alexander O’Neal, Courtney Pine, Diana Krall and has played with Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6182

Sat 18 May - An intimate evening with Ruthie Henshall
A rare opportunity to spend an intimate evening with Musical Theatre’s Leading lady. Ruthie and her band will take you on a musical journey through her extraordinary career, from working with Lionel Bart to playing in Chicago on Broadway and from starring in Les Misérables in London’s West End to receiving her Olivier award.

Book tickets online:
https://www.ddmbookings.com/bookings/view.php?id=6160

A little bit about the Festival...

This vibrant annual Festival has an exciting programme of high quality events, talks, exhibitions, workshops, guided walks, river cruises and community activities that appeal to a wide audience. The Festival attracts the great and the good from the world of literature and entertainment. Over the years it has sparkled with star names such as Ann Widdecombe, Jo Brand, Tim Rice and Terry Wogan. The festival marquee is the main venue for book talks, stand-up comedy and live music, while other venues around the town host lots of events including theatre and classical concerts. The countryside around the town’s magnificent harbour is the setting for guided walks and river cruises that take in many locations that have been inspiration for other famous novelists like Arthur Quiller-Couch, Leo Walmsley and Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame.

How can you take part?

The festival is an opportunity for visitors to explore the historic town and the stunning scenery that surrounds it and why the area has been a rich source of material for so many writers. Join the intimate gatherings when novelists bring their works to life, find out more about popular TV programmes with the people who make them, hear politicians talk about life at Westminster, enjoy famous comedians as they punctuate the festival with lots of laughter and there’s’ plenty of music to keep you entertained, too.

A bit about Fowey

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the town hangs off the west side of the Fowey estuary. As you walk the ever narrowing streets of the old town where medieval and Georgian buildings cast shadows over each other, a vibrant maritime history comes to life. If you’re a foodie then Fowey is home to many bistros, cafes and restaurants where you’ll find menus offering the best in local produce.

Did you know?

Daphne du Maurier’s short story The Birds penned in 1952 is based in Cornwall and features a farming community terrorised by a flock of seagulls. Ten years later Alfred Hitchcock turned his film of the same name, based on the story, into an international hit at the cinema.

Go to www.foweyfestival.com for the full 2013 line-up