Fun at The Henley Festival
May 2009
No-one can say The Henley Festival 2009 isn't doing its bit to help raise spirits this summer, with a fun and fabulous programme that is guaranteed to tickle even the most reluctant sense of humour. And with the main performances all in place, the Festival's Artistic Director, Stewart Collins is currently putting the finishing touches to 3 gems that are bound to delight loyal Festival-goers and Festival virgins alike!
Says Stewart, "I'm currently working on three things that to me really sum up the Festival's unique sense of fun. One, for instance, is 'Jukebox', something that is being created specially for the Festival, and which in a way pokes fun at ourselves. Jukebox is a visual arts gallery in which all the items on show are jokes. All are visual puns based on the world of rock and roll - with exhibits entitled Coldplay, Limp Bizkit, Boyzone, McFly and so on ... in each case the viewer will have to 'get the joke'. The show is invigilated by two gallery attendants (street theatre company Wet Picnic) who talk to the visitors, but only in rock 'n roll lyrics…"
Jukebox is a great reminder of all of the Festival's Sunday party nights, giving Festival-goers brilliant nights of dancing to favourite bands. One such Festival-goer is Laura Rosi, who has 2 young children and lives locally. Explaining why she thinks the Festival is just such a good night out, Laura says, "I first went to the Festival 10 years ago when I was in my mid 20s. There was a large group of us and we booked when we saw Jools Holland was playing. We had such a great night we've been back every year since. As well as the main act there were so many other shows going on that just by walking round the lawns we were entertained by all sorts of people from opera singers to comedians, mime artists to poets. There is such a party atmosphere in Henley during the Festival. It's one that my friends and I will carry on enjoying for many years to come. Truly a fun night out!"
And the other two things that Stewart's working on? He's keeping relatively tight-lipped about these. However, we can tell you one involves an epic and amusing sculpture, not unrelated to local artist Dick Budden's 2½ metre high silver stiletto shoe and entitled 'English Summer'. The other comprises 13 'Guerrillaz' who appear from nowhere and ... "Well," as Stewart says, "that's the secret!"
Henley Festival 2009 runs from 8th-12th July. For more information visit www.henley-festival.co.uk or ring the box office on 01491 843404.
Generous sponsors of this year's Festival include: Invesco Perpetual, Westcoast, Laurent-Perrier champagne, Lavazza, Hotel du Vin, Southern Electric.
