A Word (or several) From 'The Boss'
Welcome to the Stevenage Festival – a unique
showcase for the wealth or artistic talent to be found in
and around our town.
We started back in 1994 and ever since the two week festivals have been held biennially at
the end of June. Unfortunately, this always clashes with either
the World or European cup in Football.
Strange as it may seem, we always lose a
proportion of our audiences to this alternative entertainment..
Our approaches to the football world governing bodies, asking
them to change their dates, were ignored so we have decided
to split with our tradition and run the festival in the odd
years going forward so, in order to slip the year, we are
holding a ‘mini’ festival in 2007 and thereafter a full festival
in 2009 and 2011 etc.
In 2006 we introduced a lot of small fringe
community based events. These were
very successful so this year the idea will be repeated and
expanded. The fringe will fill two weeks, so please support
as many of the interesting offerings as you can. There will
be walks and talks, demonstrations and shows on many and various
subjects, all of which will entertain, enthral and in many
cases involve the audiences.
The Gordon Craig Theatre programme is for only one week but still offers plenty of exciting
shows. The week will end with a spectacular variety show
from four local drama and musical groups.
As ever, we will link the annual ‘Rock in
the Park’ on 17th June with the Festival and, a
week later, hold the first ever ‘Rock in the Craig’ show
in the Theatre, when there will be a chance to add some stage
effects to some of our fabulous local bands.
You will know I stood down as Chairman in
2004 and Robin Osterley took up the reins for the 2006 Festival.
Unfortunately due to his very busy workload he is not able
to continue this year but promises to be back in the future.
This year we also lost, if only for the short term, the services
and support of Jane Tobitt. Jane has been a very important,
ever present part of the committee and the whole spirit of
the festival since 1992, but, due to family commitments, has
had to move away from Stevenage for a while. We hope to see her back some time in the future.
As ever, I thank all those Stevenage people and organisations who are
involved in supporting, promoting
and participating in the Festival. I commend the Festival
to you and hope you find the performances
as inspiring and as enjoyable as I do.
Ron Walker
Chairman, Stevenage Festival 2007
|
