WILTSHIRE CREATIVE ANNOUNCE PROGRAMMING FOR
SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON INCLUDING
SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2023
Your Festival Starts Here!
Following the success of How the Other Half Loves and with Brief Encounter just around the corner, Wiltshire Creative today announces programming for their Summer Festival Season, this year incorporating Salisbury International Arts Festival 2023.
Highlights of this year’s Salisbury International Arts Festival include:
- The Festival centrepiece – Wiltshire Creative’s outdoor, site-specific production of The Tempest in a reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale in Churchill Gardens from 24 May to 4 June
- Returning to the festival’s classical roots, vocal ensemble Siren present Doomsday, performed beneath and inspired by St Thomas’ medieval Doom painting, exploring themes of chaos and uncertainty at St Thomas’ Church on 7 June
- Opera della Luna returns to the Festival with Gilbert and Sullivan’s much-loved HMS Pinafore at Salisbury Playhouse in a hilarious recreation of the original hit on 8 June
- Festival favourites The Lord Chamberlain’s Men return in their outdoor, all-male production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, performed at Rack Close on 9 and 10 June
Salisbury International Arts Festival includes a range of music events for the whole family, including With The Beatles, celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ performance at Salisbury City Hall in 1963 in collaboration with Salisbury History Festival; tweed-clad 10-piece ensemble Old Dirty Brasstards with their cross-genre eclectic party covers; as well as blues and jazz sensation Elkie Brooks performing her numerous hit singles at the Playhouse. Artistic Director of La Folia Howard Moody returns with a transporting evening of Bach’s Musical Offering on violin, flute, cello and harpsicord, in collaboration with Best Foot Music andinterwoven with music and poetry from across the world at St Thomas’ Church on 14 June.
Motionhouse present the new circus production for all the family, Starchitects, incorporating gravity-defying choreography and digital projections at the Playhouse on 14 June; Farm Yard Circus at Rack Close, is a family-friendly farmyard-inspired eclectic mix of acrobatics, juggling, theatre and live music on 11 June. Gyles Brandreth and Susie Dent bring their award-winning comedy podcast Something Rhymes with Purple to the Playhouse stage on 17 June, with other comedy events from Marcus Brigstocke and Lucy Porter. The Festival will also feature exhibitions and films across Salisbury.
Outside Salisbury International Arts Festival, Wiltshire Creative also today announces their other Summer Festival Season events, including Musical Theatre Salisbury’s production of Legally Blonde, returning to the Playhouse stage this July; and their hugely popular Beerex festival, returning for its 41st year at Salisbury Arts Centre from 7 – 8 July.
Artistic Director of Wiltshire Creative Gareth Machin said today: “We have mapped out another marvellous programme for Wiltshire Creative’s summer season. It’s hugely exciting to be creating the Festival centre piece, The Tempest, here in Salisbury working with incredible professional artists alongside many members of our local community. Churchill Gardens will be reimagined as Shakespeare’s island in our biggest, boldest event yet. Elsewhere, music, dance, circus and spoken word events will fill our stages, bringing world class talent to our audience here in Salisbury.”
SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL:
Wiltshire Creative presents
THE TEMPEST
By William Shakespeare
Churchill Gardens, Salisbury SP1 2HS
Wednesday 24 May – Sunday 4 June at various times
“O brave new world, That has such people in’t!”
A stunning re-imagining of Shakespeare’s fabulous tale, and journey deep into one of Salisbury’s most beloved parks. This centrepiece to Salisbury International Arts Festival follows a King and his entourage shipwrecked on an island of magic and mystery. It is a place of music and visions, surprising encounters and unlikely friendships. But what secrets does this island hold? Who or what is really in charge? And will the world ever be the same again? This unique new show is an outdoor walkabout production, meaning our professional actors and talented community contributors will take you from scene to scene to different locations around the park.
Siren presents
DOOMSDAY
St Thomas’ Church, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA
Wednesday 7 June at 7.30pm
Invoking the spirit of end times, Siren’s Doomsday explores themes of chaos and uncertainty, stewardship and salvation. Performed beneath, and inspired by, St Thomas’ medieval Doom painting, this unique evening combines music and words across multiple genres and centuries, from Gregorian chants to popular music by REM and Billie Eilish, as the group explores apocalypse throughout history.
Siren is a new vocal ensemble formed from the 2021–22 cohort of VOCES8 Scholars. Members spent a year learning from 2023 Grammy-nominated British vocal group VOCES8 and sing in some of the country’s leading vocal ensembles.
Opera della Luna presents
Gilbert and Sullivan’s
HMS PINAFORE
Directed by Jeff Clarke; Conducted by Michael Waldron
Cast includes: Louise Crane, Ian Belsey, Matthew Siveter, Lynsey Docherty, Tim Walton and Martin George
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 8 June at 2pm and 7pm
Opera della Luna returns to Salisbury with HMS Pinafore. Their iconic production is a fast-moving, totally delightful and hilarious recreation of the original hit that took the UK and America by storm. Gorgeous costumes, a chamber orchestra and an ingenious and imaginative approach make this a festival event not to be missed.
THE DIME NOTES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Thursday 8 June at 7:30pm
The Dime Notes dig back into the blues-drenched sounds of clarinet-driven 1920s New Orleans jazz,
unearthing a repertoire of stomps, blueses and forgotten gems of the era from musicians such as Johnny Dodds, Jelly Roll Morton and Red Nichols.
OLD DIRTY BRASSTARDS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 9 June at 7:30pm
Tweed-clad 10-piece ensemble Old Dirty Brasstards performs a selection of unique and exhilarating brass interpretations from 80s smash hits to modern chart-topping tunes.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men present
ROMEO AND JULIET
Rack Close, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury SP1 2ES
Friday 9 June at 7pm
Saturday 10 June at 2pm and 7pm
Festival favourites the Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them this summer for the timeless and classic love story Romeo and Juliet. The company’s history stretches back to Shakespeare himself. This passionate play, packed with poetry, is presented in the open air with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Wiltshire Creative in association with Salisbury History Festival
WITH THE BEATLES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 9 June at 7:30pm
A celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ live appearance at Salisbury City Hall in 1963. Enjoy the Fab Four’s greatest hits in an evening of live music and presentations. Jamie Hayes from the famous Abbey Road Studios will give a talk alongside some lively Beatles covers from local artists, from choral renditions to acoustic solos.
Lourdes Fernandes presents
FLAMENCO ORÍGENES
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 10 June at 7:30pm
Orígenes celebrates the multitude of art forms that fed into the evolution of the beautifully rich style we know as flamenco.
FARM YARD CIRCUS
Rack Close, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury SP1 2ES
Sunday 11 June 2pm and 5pm
Farm Yard Circus revels in acrobatics, juggling, theatre and live music. Expect a bewildering display of group acrobatics and juggling using hay bales, wheelbarrows, a tractor tyre and even an old scarecrow! This high-energy boot-stomping show is set to a score of old-time tunes and raucous rhythms that will bring the cows home, played live throughout.
Wiltshire College and University Centre present
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
Salisbury Arts Centre Grounds, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Tuesday 13 June at 7pm
In partnership with Wiltshire College and University Centre, our Further Education students present their final performance of the year, in this unique retelling of the familiar favourite. The fabulously wealthy Victorian gentleman Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days.
Motionhouse present
STARCHITECTS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Wednesday 14 June at 1pm and 7pm
The new show from Motionhouse is a joyful cosmic adventure. With its mix of gravity-defying choreography and digital projections, Starchitects presents a visual spectacle using the company’s renowned dance-circus fusion.
Best Foot Music and La Folia present
LA FOLIA: MUSICAL OFFERINGS
Written by Howard Moody
St Thomas’ Church, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA
Wednesday 14 June at 7.30pm
A transporting evening of music from La Folia under Artistic Director Howard Moody, in collaboration with Best Foot Music – an agency supporting musicians, poets and communities who have moved to the UK from around the world. Bach’s ‘Musical Offering’ on violin, flute, cello and harpsichord is woven with sounds from around the world like oud and percussion, opening borders between musical traditions.
ELKIE BROOKS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 15 June at 7:30pm
Now in the sixth decade of her career, Ellie Brooks is still one of the most powerful and versatile vocal talents of a generation. With numerous hit singles and million selling albums and awards, her annual tours are a treat for fans old and new. Performing some of her classic hits, blues and jazz.
MOONmoon
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 16 June at 10am, 11m and 1pm
Saturday 17 June at 10am and 11am
You and your baby are invited into a universe of song, music and movement in this interactive storytelling event. MOONmoon is a musical experience for the littlest audience members, seated on the floor: the show revolves around melody, rhythm, pulse and timing.
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE presents
Absolute Shower
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 16 June at 7:30pm
Absolute Shower is the blisteringly funny stand-up show from multi-award-winning comedian Marcus Brigstocke. This joyful show celebrates the personal triumphs and small victories of the past couple of years, while acknowledging it hasn’t exactly been easy…
HANNAH MOULE AND THE MOULETTES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 16 June at 7:30pm
The string-loving multi-instrumentalists of The Moulettes, led by cellist and songwriter Hannah Moule, push the boundaries of a traditional chamber ensemble. Moving between classical and steel string guitars, cellos, piano, violin, harp, percussion and harmonious vocals, they’ve arranged for and played with Nick Cave, Bonobo and The Levellers.
Tilted presents in association with Somethin’ Else
SOMETHING RHYMES WITH PURPLE
With Gyles Brandreth and Susie Dent
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 17 June 2.15pm
Delve into a world of words with Something Rhymes with Purple on Stage, based on Gyles Brandreth and Susie Dent’s award-winning podcast. Expect theatrical antics from the show’s affable hosts as they bring their infectious love of words to Salisbury Playhouse.
LUCY PORTER presents
Wake Up Call
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Saturday 17 June at 7:30pm
Wake Up Call is a show about revelations, realisations and epiphanies – both large and small. A brand-new stand-up show from TV and radio favourite Lucy Porter, as heard on Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show; and seen on Would I Lie to You, QI and Live at the Apollo.
SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON:
Musical Theatre Salisbury presents
LEGALLY BLONDE
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 June at 2:15pm and 7:30pm
Following the success of The Full Monty in 2022, Musical Theatre Salisbury returns to The Playhouse stage to present their rendition of the adored film. This award-winning musical is action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances. It follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.
CAMRA, Salisbury Rotary COGS and Wiltshire Creative present
BEEREX XLI
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 7 – Saturday 8 July
Beerex is back for its 41st year, and CAMRA, Salisbury Rotary COGS and Wiltshire Creative are pleased to be hosting it at Salisbury Arts Centre again this July. You can enjoy over 50 ales and 15 ciders, live music on our outdoor stage, food stalls and a full bar for those who would prefer other drinks. Your first half pint, glass and programme are included in the ticket price.
LISTINGS
WILTSHIRE CREATIVE
Box office: 01722 320 333 / [email protected]
SALISBURY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL:
THE TEMPEST
Churchill Gardens, Salisbury SP1 2HS
Wednesday 24 May – Sunday 4 June at various times
Tickets from £20
Please note, some locations will involve standing. Before booking please be confident that you can move with us during this performance.
DOOMSDAY
St Thomas’ Church, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA
Wednesday 7 June 7.30pm
Tickets from £24
HMS PINAFORE
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 8 June 2pm and 7pm
Tickets from £21
THE DIME NOTES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Thursday 8 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £18
OLD DIRTY BRASSTARDS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 9 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £13
ROMEO AND JULIET
Rack Close, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury SP1 2ES
Friday 9 June at 7pm
Saturday 10 June at 2pm and 7pm
Tickets from £22
WITH THE BEATLES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 9 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £15
FLAMENCO ORÍGENES
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 10 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £15
FARM YARD CIRCUS
Rack Close, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury SP1 2ES
Sunday 11 June 2pm and 5pm
Tickets from £12
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
Salisbury Arts Centre Grounds, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Tuesday 13 June at 7pm
Tickets from £15
STARCHITECTS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Wednesday 14 June at 1pm and 7pm
Tickets from £12
LA FOLIA: MUSICAL OFFERINGS
St Thomas’ Church, St Thomas’s Square, Salisbury SP1 1BA
Wednesday 14 June 7.30pm
Tickets from £27
ELKIE BROOKS
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 15 June 7:30pm
Tickets from £35
MOONMOON
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 16 June at 10am, 11m and 1pm
Saturday 17 June at 10am and 11am
Tickets from £10
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE PRESENTS: ABSOLUTE SHOWER
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Friday 16 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £21
HANNAH MOULE AND THE MOULETTES
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 16 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £18
SOMETHING RHYMES WITH PURPLE
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 17 June 2.15pm
Tickets from £17
LUCY PORTER PRESENTS: WAKE UP CALL
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Saturday 17 June at 7:30pm
Tickets from £20
SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON:
LEGALLY BLONDE
Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 June at 2:15pm and 7:30pm
Tickets from £15
BEERLEX XLI
Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT
Friday 7 – Saturday 8 July
Tickets from £12