Wiltshire Creative has announced programming for Salisbury International Arts Festival 2024.
The annual arts festival, founded in 1974, returns on Sunday May 26 to Sunday June 9 with a variety of performances and events for the local community.
Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative Gareth Machin said: “The Salisbury International Arts Festival lies at the epicentre of our programming, and we’re proud to bring a wealth of talent to the region with a diversity of programming for all.
“This year’s Wiltshire Creative’s summer season is no different, and offers a breadth of programming from spoken word, music, circus and dance events right in the heart of Salisbury.
“We’re bringing back the popular City Encounters, an event which not only brings the community together but showcases the wonderful talent we have in the town. It’s set to be a summer to remember!”
Highlights of this year’s festival include: festival favourites The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, returning in their outdoor, all-male production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at Rack Close on June 7-8; spoken word from Anthony Horowitz, David Baddiel, Juliet Stevenson and more; TESS by Ockham’s Razor, the groundbreaking circus adaption of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles on June 5 and The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan from the principal singers of the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company on May 30.
The festival season will also see the Playhouse host the laugh-out-loud shows, Punt & Dennis on June 1 and Ruby Wax: I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was on June 6.
Lîla Dance will grace the Salisbury Arts Centre with Fault Lines, the stunning dance which integrates immersive digital imagery, evocative writing and cinematic music on May 29.
A parade will take place from Milford Street Bridge to the Market Square on May 26. At over six metres tall and with an army of nine puppeteers, the awe-inspiring Patch and trusted Penguin pal will travel the Salisbury streets, swathed in stunning patchwork costumes heralded by local musicians and dancers, rocking the route.
The festival offers a range of family friendly events including Long Nose Puppets production of Out Of The Hat! magic show, where children can meet puppets Doris and Deliah after the show.
Children can get involved in the live, interactive show "Claytime" where they get to mould the story, as well as celebrating music and songs from around the world with BAM: Babies’ Adventures in Music.
For the full programming, visit: www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here