THE programme for this year?s Hatherleigh Festival has been released ? and tickets were released for sale this week. The festival runs from Thursday July 12 to Sunday July 15. Its famous comedy club returns on the Thursday evening with the festival?s first female stand-up, Zoe Lyons, and a headline act from Jeff Innocent, who has stormed comedy clubs the world over. Friday evening sees the festival breaking its vow never to have a tribute band, and showcasing ?The Queens? ? fishnets and all ? in Hatherleigh?s new community centre. And on the Sunday afternoon there will be an outdoor, musical, and highly visual production of Shakespeare?s Taming of the Shrew by the Miracle Theatre group. Other highlights of the festival include the duo Oiamamma, who are being flown in from Southern Italy for an evening of energetic and passionate music played on the accordion and violin. There will also be children?s events, art exhibitions, and workshops on everything from jewellery making, ceramic painting and card creating to belly dancing. Classical guitarist Steve Yates will be taking part in the festival, and this year Hatherleigh will also be hosting an Indian cultural event ? ?Walking with Gandhi?. Besides all this there will be a festival barbecue and all day free entertainment in the square on Saturday. And this year, Hatherleigh has its own ?festival fringe? with Hatherleigh Players presenting plays on the two weekends prior to the main festival. For further information call the Festival office on 01837 811116, or to book tickets contact the box office on T01837 810624.
