In our 9th year the Hostry Festival presented a Norfolk premiere production of The Graduate, in association with our Principal Sponsors the University of East Anglia, and Dipple & Conway, one of Norfolk’s long established family businesses. Two of the festival’s favourite actors, Tracey Catchpole and Christopher Neal, headed up the cast of The Graduate and with good reason…They’re good…Really good at what they do. We also welcomed Neil Auker, Susie Richardson and Olivia Bourne to the festival, all outstanding actors who we’d wanted to work with for a number of years. They were joined by an excellent supporting cast & Crew.
“One of my greatest joys is knowing that talent is found at all levels of theatre. The passion and “the gift” are given to all those who truly have it within them to take the journey… we all get to share the pursuit of happiness through the pursuit of excellence” Stash Kirkbride, Artistic Director.
“Directed with real panache, bringing out mesmerising and oh so watchable performances from Tracey Catchpole and Christopher Neal. Here’s to you Mrs Robinson, and what a great night out” Eastern Daily Press
Other festival highlights included: The Norfolk Arts Awards held at St George’s Theatre Gt Yarmouth, as part of our Outreach Programme. Paint Out too took Plein Air painting around Norfolk and beyond. Our Guest Speakers for 2019 were one of the country’s favourite actresses (and now festival patron) Susan Hampshire In Conversation with the festival’s Artistic Director, and we welcomed the hugely popular historian Bettany Hughes. The festival launched a brand new core project that is set to be much in demand across the county, The African Choir of Norfolk, led by the inspirational Anna Mudeka.
“Directed with real panache, bringing out mesmerising and oh so watchable performances from Tracey Catchpole and Christopher Neal. Here’s to you Mrs Robinson, and what a great night out” Eastern Daily Press
Other festival highlights included: The Norfolk Arts Awards held at St George’s Theatre Gt Yarmouth, as part of our Outreach Programme. Paint Out too took Plein Air painting around Norfolk and beyond. Our Guest Speakers for 2019 were one of the country’s favourite actresses (and now festival patron) Susan Hampshire In Conversation with the festival’s Artistic Director, and we welcomed the hugely popular historian Bettany Hughes. The festival launched a brand new core project that is set to be much in demand across the county, The African Choir of Norfolk, led by the inspirational Anna Mudeka.
New Writing came from psychotherapist and festival patron Christine Webber, actor David Banks, Cyberleader from Dr Who, and Norfolk poet Peter Pegnall. Co-founder of the festival Peter Barrow portrayed Walt Whitman in Song Of Myself, one of two original plays in the festival by celebrated Norfolk author Wayne Adrian Drew.
Festival Commissions included: Lisa Cassidy and Mark Saberton performing The Telephone, a comic opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. Soul singer Lauren Dove performed Songbird: Celebrating the life & music of Eva Cassidy, Moco Theatre Company devised a site specific drama entitled Deconstructing Michelangelo, and Into Opera co-produced Opera Unwrapped: Women Centre Stage in concert. Inspiring Females In the Arts returned live on BBC Radio Norfolk. And Tankus The Henge, the UK’s hottest gypsy rock band completed our line up at the 2019 Autumn Festival of Norfolk.
