devizes festival 2008 logo
montage of leading acts

Week 3 : 18th-22nd June

Main events have an event number (EN) which corresponds with the event number on the booking form. Fringe events are free.

Monday 16 June 8.00pm Town Hall £11.00
EN18

THE THREE JAZZ TENORS
with THE JOHN CRITCHINSON TRIO

Featuring Mornington Lockett, Don Weller and Art Themen

sponsorTake three of the best jazz tenor saxophone players in the UK and a red hot rhythm section and you have a recipe for an outstanding jazz concert. Mornington Lockett, Don Weller and Art Themen have all played with such legendary jazz musicians as Ronnie Scott and Stan Tracey. Together they represent the cream of jazz saxophone playing and improvisation. They are joined by John Critchinson (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and Dave Barry (drums).

Tuesday 17 June 1.00pm St Andrew’s Church £6.00
EN19

LUNCHTIME CONCERT
CARYL HUGHES AND JOSEPH MIDDLETON

caryl hughes lunchtime concertCaryl won a scholarship at the 2005 National Eisteddfod of Wales and was a finalist in the 2006 Welsh Singer's Competition, joining the Royal Academy Opera in the same year.
In 2003 Joseph won a Scholarship to study at The Royal Academy of Music as a postgraduate accompanist. Graduating with Distinction, he was also awarded the Academy's highest postgraduate qualification. He has appeared at many venues in the UK and Europe.

Free tea and coffee will be served from 12.30pm to 12.50 pm

sponsor: operaluna

Festival Fringe

Tuesday 17 June 7.30pm The Bear 9.30pm The Lamb
FREE

A PLAY BY THE LANGPORT MUMMERS

sponsorBased around the documented story of Alfred mustering troops to resist the Viking occupation of Wessex, this colourful bit of street theatre was written by a member of the Langport Mummers. This exuberant acting troupe breathes life into the legendary Alfred and his demonic foe, the Viking King Guthrum,

played by James Lynch, a Devizes man. There's humour, cross-dressing, juggling, music, a ferocious battle, a middle-aged fairy, magic, a water dousing and a golden crown. Be prepared to cheer, boo and hiss!

sponsor: the lamb inn

Tuesday 17 June 8.30pm Palace Cinema £7.00
EN20

THE FESTIVAL FILM : LA DOLCE VITA

sponsorDirector Federico Fellini Italy 1960 167 minutes Certificate 15 Subtitles
Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimee, Yvonne Furneaux

Set in Rome in the 1950s, Fellini's depiction of a civilisation in decline spares no one, from the poor and pious to the rich and famous. It covers seven days and nights in the life of a reporter, and his encounters with the women in his life. The film, in black and white, includes the Trevi fountain scene - one of the iconic moments in cinema history - and the famous opening scene of a plaster statue of Christ being carried across Rome by helicopter. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1960.


Wednesday 18 June 10.00am Wharf Theatre £6 Adult £3 Child
EN21

hare & tortoise imageTHE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
AESOP'S TOURING THEATRE COMPANY
Suitable for ages 2-7 years

A delightful adaptation based on the traditional story of The Hare and the Tortoise from Aesop's Fables. This exciting new production with its loveable characters will take young children on an adventure full of laughter and surprises. They will participate in the thrill of the race whilst learning an important moral. Music and songs feature in this enchanting production for young children.

Wednesday 18 June 7.00pm Northgate Brewery £10.00
EN22

sponsor: wadworth breweryTHE WADWORTH BREWERY TOUR

The final opportunity during this Festival for 20 of you to marvel at the skills that produce the famous brews.


Wednesday 18 June 8.00pm Town Hall £10.00
EN23

sponsorVIN GARBUTT

Vin Garbutt is an accomplished guitarist and fine whistle player who writes songs which are witty and powerful, tackling thought-provoking issues which others prefer to avoid. His introductions are also full of his special brand of zany and rare wit. Vin was recognised as 'Best Live Act' by Radio 2 Folk Awards. A fine and entertaining concert is guaranteed.


Thursday 19 June 10.00am Wharf Theatre £6 Adult £3 Child
EN24

hare & tortoise imageTHE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
AESOP'S TOURING THEATRE COMPANY
Suitable for ages 2-7 years

A second opportunity to see this delightful adaptation based on the traditional story of The Hare and the Tortoise from Aesop's Fables. This exciting new production with its loveable characters will take young children on an adventure full of laughter and surprises. They will participate in the thrill of the race whilst learning an important moral. Music and songs feature in this enchanting production for young children.

Thursday 19 June 8.00pm Town Hall £14
EN25

JONATHAN AGNEW : An Evening with Aggers

sponsorJonathan Agnew's career as the BBC's cricket correspondent, which began in 1961, has been so successful it's easy to forget that he ever played the game. But, as a fast bowler with the ability to swing the ball, he took 101 first-class wickets in the 1987 season and 93 the following year. He won his first two caps for England in 1984 and the following summer made his final appearance against Australia.

Now one of the mainstays of Test Match Special, Aggers' cheerful and easy-going informality belies the professionalism of this consummate broadcaster. The evening will start with his talk followed by a question and answer session.

Festival Fringe

Thursday 19 June 9.30pm The Southgate Inn
FREE

MILES HUNT AND ERICA NOCKALLS

miles hunt & erica nockallsMiles Hunt, a founder member of The Wonder Stuff comes to Devizes between major festival appearances across Europe. Formed in 1986, it quickly entered the charts with a string of singles, culminating in 'Never Loved Elvis', probably the group's most famous album. Following that they topped the charts with Vic Reeves and their version of 'Dizzy'. The Wonder Stuff reformed in 2000 with Miles Hunt and Malcolm Treece at the helm, and others, including Erica Nockalls, joining the band.

Friday 20 June 6.30pm Museum Long Street £6.00
EN26

DISCOVERING DEVIZES with LORNA HAYCOCK

sponsorThanks to its Norman castle perched high on the town's greensand promontory, Devizes became a significant stronghold during the reign of Henry 1. In later years, when Devizes exchanged its military might for a quieter life based on farming, the town became better known for its wool trade, which helped finance its fine buildings and merchants' houses. Writer and historian Lorna Haycock takes us on a town-centre walk to reveal the true history of Devizes, as seen through the streets and buildings that survive today.

Limited spaces available - advance booking only.

Friday 20 June Doors 8.00pm Corn Exchange £10.00
EN27

BLUES NIGHT
MATT SCHOFIELD and the EARL GREEN BAND

sponsorMatt Schofield Trio on stage 10pm
Earl Green Band 8.15pm

Guitarist magazine describes Matt Schofield's guitar playing as 'dynamite', picking him as the only non-American in their review of the future of Blues guitar. The band line up harks back to the classic organ trios of the fifties and sixties. Jonny Henderson on Hammond gives the band feel a sleazy texture whilst 'drummers' drummer Evan Jenkins provides compelling grooves. This band is unlike anything else on the blues scene today.

sponsorOpening tonight's show is Earl Green, one of the county's the top blues singers. A founder member of Otis Grand and the Rhythm Kings, he has also been the front man with PaulLamb and the King Snakes, forming his own band in 1995.

Please note: there is limited seating for this performance.



Saturday 21 June 8.00pm Wharf Theatre £10.00
EN28

FROZEN by BRIONY LAVERY FRESH GLORY PRODUCTIONS
Director Sonia Fraser

sponsorWhat lies beneath the ice?
     ... and what happens when the thaw comes?

Frozen in loss, a mother fights to confront a killer. Frozen in his horrific childhood, the abused becomes the abuser. Confronting the truth, the psychiatrist stares into ' the frozen arctic sea that is the criminal brain...' This witty compassionate play explores , in forensic detail, a nerve-shredding story of supreme topicality.

Suitable for age 14 and above.

Festival Fringe

Saturday 21 June 10.00pm Cellar Bar The Bear Hotel
FREE

sponsorANDY HAIG QUINTET

Trumpeter Andy Haig is the 'godfather' of the jazz scene in Bristol. His quintet features the cream of jazz musicians in the South West including sax man Ben Waghorn and pianist Jim Blomfield. The quintet will be playing hot, modern jazz from the 1950s to the present day.

Friday 20 June 6.30pm Museum Long Street £6.00
EN29

DISCOVERING DEVIZES with LORNA HAYCOCK

sponsorAnother chance to tour with writer and historian Lorna Haycock takes us on a town-centre walk to reveal the true history of Devizes, as seen through the streets and buildings that survive today. Thanks to its Norman castle perched high on the town's greensand promontory, Devizes became a significant stronghold during the reign of Henry 1. In later years, when Devizes exchanged its military might for a quieter life based on farming, the town became better known for its wool trade, which helped finance its fine buildings and merchants' houses.

Limited spaces available - advance booking only.

Sunday 22 June 8.00pm Town Hall £15.00
EN30

STRINGFEVER

sponsorFor a fantastic evening's entertainment, the like of which you have never seen before, meet Giles, Ralph, Graham and Neal Broadbent aka Stringfever. Amongst other remarkable feats, be astounded by four artists playing one cello at the same time (in Ravel's Bolero) and amazed by forty tunes packed into The History of Music in Five Minutes. With their electric instruments and unique sound, the world's first genetically modified string quartet combine exceptional musical skill with a real talent for involving and engaging audiences in a night never to be forgotten!

Festival Fringe

Sunday 22 June 9.00pm The Lamb Inn
FREE

sponsorREG MEUROSS

Reg Meuross is renowned for his stunning vocals and excellent songs - 'The Goodbye Hat' is widely regarded as a classic. He has performed at many UK festivals and has been a mainstay of the Hank Wangford Band. Violinist Jackie Oates joins him for this concert.