2009 programme preview

Wednesday

At the Drop of a Hippopotamus - with Tim Fitzhigham
Songs that are as funny as they are sophisticated and tuneful, performed by the great comic talent that is Tim Fitzhigham. Accompanied by willing sidekick pianist, Duncan Walsh Atkins, Fitzhigham delivers Michael Flanders' and Donald Swann's musical mini masterpieces with relish and style

The Radio String Quartet of Vienna
A remarkable young quartet who look as much to the music of John McLaughlin's legendary 1970's Mahavishnu Orchestra and traditional European sources as they do to the classical repertoire

Ashley Hutchings and Rainbow Chasers
Ashley Hutchings is best known as the founder of the English folk-rock band, Fairport Convention. Rainbow Chasers were formed in 2004 and present the very finest in contemporary semi-acoustic repertoire. One for the connoisseurs - music of the highest quality and sophistication.
'tangible excitement and an air of authority' Net Rhythms

Thursday

Handel's Water Music
Handel's musical masterpiece, first performed in barges on the River Thames in 1717. Just a stone's throw away from those same waters Phillip Picket directs the 20+ members of leading 'early music' band, the New London Consort. A top class musical treat.

Fascinating Aida
'Absolutely Fabulous meets Noel Coward, as sung by the Andrew Sisters ...' musical humour doesn't come much more saucy or sassy than this.

Kamerunga
An exciting new collective out of Australia's tropical Far North, Kamerunga puts a fresh and funky twist on Celtic and classic Australiana by 'marrying folk influences with jazz, rock, reggae, rap, classical and world music elements'. In other words, they're going to get you up and dancin', Aussie style.

Mishka Adams
An artist on the fast track to genuine jazz notoriety, this British-Filipina singer was snapped up by Candid Records following a guest appearance in a concert featuring the great Courtney Pine.

Friday

Beethoven - the last Master: John Suchet and Simon Mulligan (piano)
John Suchet, known to millions as a TV newscaster, presenter and biographer, brings to life the greatest composer of them all - Beethoven. He is joined by the remarkable New York based British pianist, Simon Mulligan.

Jan Ravens - A Funny Look at Impressions
As one of the UK's foremost female impressionists - whose characters range from Anne Widdecombe to Madonna and whose starring roles have included Radio 4's Dead Ringers to Spitting Image - Ravens offers a unique glimpse into the hilarious world of satirical impersonation.

Ray Gelato
Paul McCartney chose Ray Gelato to play at his wedding, Bryan Adams managed to get him for his party, he opened Robbie Williams' concert at the Royal Albert Hall and he's played for Her Majesty twice. Ray Gelato is a maestro of swing and jazz, an entertainer and saxophone player of the first degree.
'foot stompin', swinging music that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired'

The Eduardo Niebla Experience
The "World class virtuoso" (Time Out) Spanish guitarist who fuses flamenco gypsy jazz with Arabic, Indian, Latin and classical influences, to create an exhilarating musical experience

Saturday

Comedy - Arthur Smith
Radio 4's "bit of rough", Arthur Smith is often described as the compère beyond compare. Before becoming a fully-fledged comedian, playwright and Edinburgh Festival stalwart, he worked as a road sweeper, dustman, market researcher, teacher and advertised chicken burgers in supermarkets dressed as a fox. His plays include the award-winning An Evening with Gary Lineker, he has presented Radio 4's Excess Baggage and is a regular guest on Loose Ends.

Cabaret Burlesque with Miss Polly Rae and The Hurly Burly Girlys
A delicious and ever so saucy blend of cabaret, variety, and burlesque, hosted by 'the dark prince of cabaret' Mr Dusty Limits. If you think it might offend, there's plenty going on elsewhere!

Ku-da-mix
With 18 top musicians on stage, Ku-da-mix is a unique collaboration in world music composition and instrumentation - 'a global warming'

Sheelanagig
An eclectic blend of folk, jazz and world music: blistering live performances have made Sheelanagig festival favourites across the UK and into Europe, and caused dancefloor mayhem from the Scottish Islands to the South of Italy.

Michael Mwenso
Charismatic 22 year old trombonist and vocalist, Michael Mwenso is fast making a name for himself as a home grown jazz musician and entertainer not to be missed.

Sunday

The Riverside Cabaret - Rich Hall is Otis Lee Crenshaw
The comedian and star of TV comedy shows (Have I Got News For You, Q.I. and Never Mind the Buzzcocks) and his country-western- blues alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw.

Mundo Jazz
Spoof world music band Mundo Jazz preach peace, love and understanding ... with all the subtlety of a brick hitting butter

A Tribute to Dudley Moore
An affectionate and quirky celebration of the fine jazz musician that was Dudley Moore. Led by the music director of London's legendary Ronnie Scott's, pianist James Pearson, great riffs, slinky blues, a torch ballad or two, plenty of jokes and an ingenious, pit-band style arrangement of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

The Spectacle ...

...in the sky with diamond
Be teased by high wire walking, fiddle playing Kwabana Lindsay; admire the spectacle that is an 11 meter diamond bursting upwards from the river bathed in soft and beautiful lights and encasing a diving and weaving aerialist; savour the finest in pyro-technic outbursts from Pains Fireworks, and be enticed back along the Towpath by a concussive burst from the Noise Ensemble. Beauty, power and spectacle!

Visual Arts

Extraordinary work from leading trompe l'oeil artist Patrick Hughes, brand new sculptures from quirky Robert Bradford, and an important Henley exclusive - work by two leading Australian aboriginal artists, Dennis Nona and Alick Tipoti, part of a special Australian focus at this year's Festival (see also Resident Company). With ravishing sculpture from Jilly Sutton, the 2009 Festival also sees the return of the popular Art Market.

The Resident Company of Roving Eccentrica

The magical extra ingredient of any Henley Festival, the Roving Company is once again peopled by a collection of eccentrics, dare devils and absurdists. The Festival welcomes back Close Act from Holland who bring the sequel to 2008's amazing Dinosaurs, and brand new shows from Bongo Bolero, Aqueous Humour and Henley's own singing group Lend us a Tenor. With other acts including Heir of Insanity, the Rickshaw Airship and The Fairly Famous Family, there will also be nightly performances from traditional Australian fire dancers. Additional music will be provided by the Dixie Ticklers and a visiting Rake 'n Scrape band from the Bahamas.

Saturday 11.30 - 2.00pm The Art Event

The Henley Festival's visual arts programme has increasingly provided festival patrons with an opportunity to enjoy a huge variety of work in different media - as well as to build or develop their own collections of craft, fine art and sculpture. The Art Event offers the opportunity for everyone to visit the Festival site and to view the work on show in a relaxed, daytime environment. THIS IS A FREE EVENT

Saturday 11.30 - 2.00pm Streets Alive!

A huge success in 2008, the Henley Festival's Roving Company of Eccentrica once again invades Henley's town centre with its mixture of music, madness, jaw dropping moments and all the energy and colour of the international company of performers. THIS IS A FREE EVENT

Sunday 2.00 - 3.00pm Rings Around the World

The 2009 SHOUT! project celebrates art and cultures from around the world. Come and see dance and music performances specially created for, and with, Henley schools by The Dance Movement and multi-percussionist Joby Burgess, and also join the Henley Festival Orchestra in their second public performance as they welcome special guest jazz musicians Michael Mwenso and Jay Phelps.

The entire Rings Around the World has been developed around ten massive murals created in Henley schools by Hugh Jart. This is a ticketed event.