Hostry Festival | 2018

In 2018 the Hostry Festival may well have been the first arts festival in the UK to have as its Central Production such an inclusive commission as Boy In The Lighthouse, by Rebecca Chapman’s Total Ensemble Theatre Company.  Devised over six fascinating months by Rebecca and her cast of 25 performers from across Norfolk, this inclusive Movement Theatre story, performed for six memorable nights. We are so proud to have helped produce this outstanding first showing of such a  ground-breaking piece of original work. “From the minute this incredible cast steps onto  the stage, the conviction in the world they create is absolute – and that’s spellbinding” Eastern Daily Press. On the last night the cast received the festival’s first major standing ovation, lasting over 2 wonderfully joyful minutes.

Other festival highlights included:

• The Norfolk Arts Awards & Paint Out 2018.
• The exceptional Human Voice double bill was re-staged by director Wayne Adrian Drew, starring Tracey Catchpole and Lisa Cassidy.
• Inspiring Females in the Arts returned in association with BBC Radio Norfolk & Norwich High School For Girls.
• James Boyd and Harriet Mackenzie united in a classical concert
• Gavin Hewitt and Matt Frei, two of the UK’s best respected journalists were our guest speakers for 2018
• Actress Sally Phillips was In Conversation with the festival’s Artistic Director, with particular focus on her son’s Down’s Syndrome
• live music came from the new Ella McCready Jazz Trio. And to conclude, the former Bishop of Norwich, the Very Right Revd Bishop Graham was profiled in a special 1 hour interview.