Tickets Go On Sale …
- for The Henley Festival!
It's a hugely cheering thought that with spring just around the corner the Henley Festival programme has been announced and its Box Office is about to open. And that spells summer! Tickets can now be booked by email, on line or through the post, so Festival-goers can start enjoying the anticipation and begin planning their visit. Revel in a glorious programme of stellar performances on the Floating Stage, from the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Sir Michael Parkinson, John Barrowman, the Bootleg Beatles, a quartet of international opera stars in a Puccini evening presented by James Naughtie, and a UK first, Broadway magic from the rave-reviewed Three Mo' Tenors.
And of course it's worth remembering that a nightly Henley Festival ticket buys access to much, much more than a single brilliant performance. With prices starting at just £41, tickets allow Festival-goers entry to all performances on offer. Up to 7 performances are scheduled throughout the evening on the Festival's various stages, allowing Festival-goers to decide on the night how many - and which combination of - performances they'd like to see.
In 2009, music and comedy performers in smaller venues include: writer and broadcaster John Suchet, the rock world's favourite maestro Ray Gelato, Spanish guitarist Eduardo Niebla, the Radio String Quartet of Vienna, jazz singer/songwriter and local girl Rebecca Poole, and ex-Fairport Convention's Ashley Hutchings and Rainbow Chasers. And if this is not enough, look out for comedy from Jan Ravens, and 'the compère beyond compare', Arthur Smith, sophisticated musical comedy from Tim Fitzhigham and Fascinating Aida, while Rich Hall brings his alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw and band to the Riverside Cabaret. In addition, there's comedic tongue-in-cheek and Cabaret Burlesque with Miss Polly Rae and The Hurly Burly Girlys, blistering dance music from Sheelanagig, wonderful jazz performances, one from home-grown young and talented multi-instrumentalist Michael Mwenso, a second from the red-hot Mishka Adams, plus Kamerunga, an extraordinary Australian band that fuses everything from jazz to rap and rock. Finally, and unforgettably, there's an affectionate tribute to Dudley Moore led by pianist James Pearson, Director of London's legendary Ronnie Scott's.
As an add-on - or an alternative - to stage-based shows, there are also huge firework spectaculars and ad hoc performances. Wander round the glorious riverside enclosure and catch anything from indigenous Australian dance, and a 10-piece Noise Ensemble, to street theatre from the likes of giant stilt-based insects and a rickshaw airship and a more than usually fabulous programme of visual art.
This year Albert Roux will be working alongside his son Michel (Chef Patron at Le Gavroche) in the Roux at the Riverside restaurant. In addition, a plethora of bars and eating outlets - from Roux to sausages, champagne to lager - round out the kaleidoscope of class entertainment. And as a bonus - if one were needed - celeb-spotting and top-grade people- and fashion-watching complete this sexiest of festivals in its glorious setting by the River Thames.
Henley Festival 2009 runs from 8th-12th July. For more programme information and to book online visit www.henley-festival.co.uk, or telephone 01491 843404 at the Henley Festival Box Office, 14 Friday Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon , RG9 1AH . Many tickets have been held at 2008 prices.
Generous sponsors of this year's Festival include: Invesco Perpetual, Westcoast, Laurent-Perrier champagne, Lavazza, Hotel du Vin, Southern Electric.
