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The 2005 Frome Festival will run from 1st – 10th July Welcome to the fourth Frome Festival, which this year includes an astonishing diversity of events. Whether you are a fan of The Groundhogs, Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan, Cecil Sharp, Germaine Greer or Quentin Tarantino, there is something for you! It is impossible to detail all the excitingw events, as there are so many to choose from, but a couple of highlights must be mentioned. The festival is again presenting two nights of live music at Marston House in association with Foster Yeoman, who incidentally are celebrating their 40th birthday this year. On the second night a wonderful firework display will provide a spectacular finale to the Proms. If you want to try your hand at conducting the Proms or blasting 25 thousand tonnes of limestone at Torr Quarry, or even riding on a locomotive footplate, come to our celebrity auction with Kate Alcock and make a bid! I am thrilled that this year, for the first time, dance forms a major part of the programme. Of special note is a performance at the Merlin Theatre by the highly acclaimed Cholmondeleys and The Featherstonehaughs who represent contemporary dance at its best. This event could not have been staged without the support of The Arts Council. It always gives me great pleasure that so many people from our own community can become involved in the festival. Pride of place this year goes to our children's opera project The Cuckoo Tree, which will involve no fewer than 19 local schools and many dozens of children. A series of workshops will lead to the premiere of this music and movement spectacular. Events such as this are only possible with the aid of grant funding and we are very grateful to Youth Music for their support. There is also another of our immensely popular community music events. This year local musicians and singers present Verdi's Requiem at the Cheese and Grain. However, if you would just like a bit of fun there are also many workshops, talks and classes for all ages and levels of experience in art, craft, music, literature, film, performing arts and even circus skills! The visual arts continue to be well represented, with exhibits to look for around every corner of the town. I would particularly recommend the Cheap Street Art Trail, which features national and international artists. There is a great selection of film events, including a Disney Charity preview and a number of exciting screenings at Rook Lane Chapel. And the number and quality of literary events reflect Frome's position as a town with more published authors per head of population than anywhere in the country! The always exceptional and diverse drama and music events are this year augmented by our first foray in to the folk scene. The Festival Club, as always, has its own varied programme of music and other events besides providing welcome refreshment and the chance to relax and meet other festival-goers. And, of course, the ever-popular World Food Feast, which takes place in the town centre, offers free entertainment to the whole community. As always, I am so grateful to all our sponsors and grant funders, participating organisations including their staff and volunteers, and of course to the many people who work so hard in so many ways to make the festival happen. Most of all, though, thank you to all the festival-goers for your continuing support. Hope you all enjoy this year's programme. Have a great time! |
Music and Fireworks Following the success of last year's concerts, we are delighted
to announce there is to be a second spectacular musical weekend. Frome Festival Summer School After the success of last year's gargantuan performance
of Berlioz's Grande Messe des Morts, involving over 200
musicians, we tackle one of the masterpieces of the
19th Century in Verdi's celebrated Requiem. Festival Club The Festival Club returns this year to St John’s
Hall in Vicarage Street, with more fantastic music, frolicsome dancing and
fabulous food and drink. The Great Frome Festival Treasure Hunt Wassail Games are setting another of their family treasure
hunts to both challenge you and get you out in to the fresh air! Festival Folk Festival Folk, a new addition to the festival, celebrates
the best of British Folk Music in a line-up of exceptional events at the
Granary. Millennium Green If you’re bringing a picnic to the festival, Frome’s Millennium
Green offers a peaceful, green breathing space. |
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