The 18th Frome Festival kicks off this week with a record-breaking number of events packed into the 10-day event.
With over 200 events scheduled for the festival, organisers are promising that there is something to thrill everyone.
Festival director Martin Dimery says, “We have a record number of events this year – over 200 events, which averages at over 20 events a day. This is unlike any other town festival in the country – it would be hard to find a festival as big as this. There are so many things for people to watch, enjoy and get involved in. We are really happy with this year’s headliners and the number of events that are being provided by local people. There are so many professional and amateur performers and artists in Frome, it’s fantastic to have them involved.
“Ticket sales have gone very well, and we are up on last year, with nearly 6,000 tickets sold – some events are sold out, whilst others are close to being a sell-out.”
Bumper festival opener
A huge opening night awaits festival-goers this Friday, 6th July, followed by a weekend overflowing with events for people of all ages.
“We have a great opening night with a sell-out crowd for broadcaster Prof Michael Wood and his talk on the Trojan War at the Rook Lane Chapel,” says Martin. “Local restaurant From Peru to You will be presenting band Don Kipper at the Assembly Rooms and there will be synth-pop music on offer at the Granary from band Sweet Machine. Cooper Hall will be hosting the cross-dressing, gender-bending British premiere of opera ‘Pants!’ Over at the Silk Mill, Spanish and blues guitarist, Claude Bourbon, will be performing. Our big Friday night headliner is Aston Merrygold, former JLS member and X Factor star, with his own solo concert.
“For the Saturday (7th July) the Frome Festival Food Feast returns with as many stalls as ever and there will be lots of good bands providing entertainment in the car park next to the Cheese & Grain.
“On the Sunday (8th July) I’m looking forward to the South West Festival Chorus in the evening and their performance of Brahms German Requiem at Trinity Church.
“Also worth noting for the Sunday is the Frome Children’s Festival taking place in Victoria Park.”
Festival highlights
The festival runs from this Friday, 6th July, through to Sunday 15th July, followed by an encore evening on Friday 20th July, billed as the ‘Frome Festival Finale’.
“Further highlights throughout the week,” says Martin, “include comedian Tom Allen at the Memorial Theatre; the Frome Festival Fashion Show at the Cheese & Grain; pianist Clare Hammond at Cooper Hall; Mercury Prize-winning Badly Drawn Boy – which is selling very well; comedian George Egg DIY chef at the Merlin Theatre, who is very funny; Dutch band The Busquitos at the Rook Lane Chapel- which is nearly sold-out – they will be joined by Pee Wee Ellis as a special guest, a sax player who has performed with James Brown and Van Morrison; comedian Viv Groskop at Merlin Theatre; comedian broadcaster and writer Dr John Cooper Clarke at the Cheese & Grain; and finally our festival special encore on Friday 20th July with Leo Sayer – which is fast heading towards being sold out.”
Click on the link below to view the 8 page festival pullout on our digital edition :
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