If you do one thing this Summer - make it The Henley Festival!
February 2009
It's a hugely cheering thought that a night at Henley Festival can provide a whole summer's worth of glamour and excitement. For an evening or two, strap on your party shoes and revel in a glorious programme of stellar performances on the Floating Stage, from the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Sir Michael Parkinson, John Barrowman, the Bootleg Beatles, a quartet of international opera stars in a Puccini evening presented by James Naughtie, and a UK first, Broadway magic from the rave-reviewed Three Mo' Tenors.
A nightly Henley Festival ticket buys access to much, much more than a single brilliant performance. With prices starting at just £41, tickets allow festival-goers entry to all performances on offer. Up to 7 performances are scheduled throughout the evening on the festival's various stages, allowing festival-goers to decide on the night how many - and which combination of - performances they'd like to see.
In 2009, music and comedy performers in smaller venues include: writer and broadcaster John Suchet, the rock world's favourite maestro Ray Gelato, Spanish guitarist Eduardo Niebla, the Radio String Quartet of Vienna, singer/songwriter Rebecca Poole, and ex-Fairport Convention's Ashley Hutchings and Rainbow Chasers. And if this is not enough, look out for comedy from Jan Ravens, and 'the compère beyond compare', Arthur Smith ,Cabaret Burlesque with Miss Polly Rae and The Hurly Burly Girlys, sophisticated musical comedy from Tim Fitzhigham and Fascinating Aida, Rich Hall brings his alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw and band to the Riverside Cabaret, blistering dance music from Sheelanagig, wonderful jazz performances, one from home-grown young and talented multi-instrumentalist Michael Mwenso and a second from the red-hot Mishka Adams, plus Kamerunga, an extraordinary Australian band that fuses everything from jazz to rap and rock; finally, and unforgettably, there's an affectionate tribute to Dudley Moore led by pianist James Pearson, Director of London's legendary Ronnie Scott's.
As an add-on - or an alternative - to stage-based shows, there are also huge firework spectaculars and ad hoc performances. Wander round the glorious riverside enclosure and catch anything from indigenous Australian dance, and a 10-piece Noise Ensemble, to street theatre from the likes of giant stilt-based insects and a rickshaw airship.
Because of the sheer wealth of entertainment on hand, those who haven't been to this Festival before are encouraged to design their evening beforehand. Henley's pick'n'mix approach to performance, together with the joys of extensive art galleries, sculpture lawns and spectacle, gives festival-goers a magical spread of entertainment. This year Albert Roux will be working alongside his son Michel (Chef Patron at Le Gavroche) at the Roux on the Riverside restaurant. In addition, a plethora of bars and eating outlets - from Roux to hog roast, champagne to lager - round out the kaleidoscope of class entertainment. And as a bonus - if one were needed - celeb-spotting and top-grade people- and fashion-watching complete this sexiest of festival's in its glorious setting by the River Thames.
Henley Festival 2009 runs from 8th-12th July. For more information visit www.henley-festival.co.uk. Many tickets have been held at 2008 prices.
Generous sponsors of this year's Festival include: Invesco Perpetual, Westcoast, Laurent-Perrier champagne, Lavazza, Hotel du Vin, Southern Electric.
