Hottest Arts Lineups At UK Festivals


LATITUDE An endless stream of Arts announcements have been flowing in for Latitude that will entice fans of new and innovative Arts. Sadler’s Wells, for instance, will return again to perform against the festival’s stunning lake as a backdrop for the ninth year running. The multi-disciplinary Arts lineup is as important as the music to Latitude fans, but the lineup goes even further: film maker Louis Theroux is in conversation with Adam Buxton this year – it’ll be one to turn up and queue six hours early for. The theatre, set within woodland, is discoverable via a meander through the festival, but secure seats to shows by arriving at least 45 minutes early. Venues are small and people are often turned away. Latest theatre announcements include Young Vic‘s production, Jane Horrocks and the If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me Band and Theatre Ad Infinitum‘s Bucket List. It doesn’t stop at the hundreds of comedy, theatre, dance and music acts – also just announced is Lavish Design’s Museum of Memory, Curiosity and Cornell’s Dream – an ‘audio catalogue portrait of Latitude, documenting a slice of the lives that cross the Latitude threshold.” Latitude, July 14-17	WILDERNESS As serious as Latitude about a diverse lineup, Wilderness is different because of its penchant for luxury, food, style and wellness. You’ll certainly find more artisan food here – from sit-down dinners to street food – and a lakeside spa suggests a slower pace than Latitude’s. But the Arts don’t suffer – a new Arts Council-funded stage, The Wilderness Playhouse, will span comedy, improvised performance and theatre. Acclaimed comedian Sara Pascoe will join a range of comedy-cabaret stars, including late-night headliner Alfie Moore: English Police Officer, Shesus & The Sistas Self Service – A Resurrection Story, and Kitty Bang Bang, “fire breathin’ Princess of British Burlesque.” If you’d rather save the big shows for the music, then try the Playhouse’s range of new writing pieces from London’s Arcola Theatre (PlayWROUGHT); Oxford Playhouse (Evolve); Old Vic New Voices and The Wardrobe Ensemble‘s 1972: The Future Of Sex – or check out an operatic revival from Pop Up Opera. Wilderness, August 4-7	GREEN MAN Wilderness minus the spa, plus Latitude minus the theatre, and you’ve found yourself at Green Man. It’s Wales’ romping and ingenious mid-summer blowout. The angle here is really science and discovery, but the scenery is pretty as a picture so that’s art in itself, right? There’s plenty of spoken word (plus we love Green Man to the moon and back, so we’re including it here). A couple of ciders down from Green Man’s Courtyard (full of artisan beers and ciders) and you’ll find yourself stood on a chair in Babbling Tongues, arguing with journalists, authors and guest speakers about the purpose of life, and all manner of buoyant chatter about the state of the Arts today. Explore the dramatic landscape of the festival, until you find Einstein’s Garden. It’s a hands-on place of creative discovery for adults and children, with sciencey talks and demonstrations about just about everything, with live taxidermy classes and wildlife walks – the area is strung together by artist installations. Shift from day to night with an informal country dance lesson on the lawn and don’t miss an up-close gawp at the Green Man himself – a wondrous piece of craftsmanship. The discovery work in Einstein’s Garden is supported by The Wellcome Trust – Green Man, August 18-21

LATITUDE

An endless stream of Arts announcements have been flowing in for Latitude that will entice fans of new and innovative Arts. Sadler’s Wells, for instance, will return again to perform against the festival’s stunning lake as a backdrop for the ninth year running. The multi-disciplinary Arts lineup is as important as the music to Latitude fans, but the lineup goes even further: film maker Louis Theroux is in conversation with Adam Buxton this year – it’ll be one to turn up and queue six hours early for. The theatre, set within woodland, is discoverable via a meander through the festival, but secure seats to shows by arriving at least 45 minutes early. Venues are small and people are often turned away.

Latest theatre announcements include Young Vic‘s production, Jane Horrocks and the If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me Band and Theatre Ad Infinitum‘s Bucket List.

It doesn’t stop at the hundreds of comedy, theatre, dance and music acts – also just announced is Lavish Design’s Museum of Memory, Curiosity and Cornell’s Dream – an ‘audio catalogue portrait of Latitude, documenting a slice of the lives that cross the Latitude threshold.”

Latitude, July 14-17

WILDERNESS

As serious as Latitude about a diverse lineup, Wilderness is different because of its penchant for luxury, food, style and wellness. You’ll certainly find more artisan food here – from sit-down dinners to street food – and a lakeside spa suggests a slower pace than Latitude’s.

But the Arts don’t suffer – a new Arts Council-funded stage, The Wilderness Playhouse, will span comedy, improvised performance and theatre. Acclaimed comedian Sara Pascoe will join a range of comedy-cabaret stars, including late-night headliner Alfie Moore: English Police Officer, Shesus & The Sistas Self Service – A Resurrection Story, and Kitty Bang Bang, “fire breathin’ Princess of British Burlesque.”

If you’d rather save the big shows for the music, then try the Playhouse’s range of new writing pieces from London’s Arcola Theatre (PlayWROUGHT); Oxford Playhouse (Evolve); Old Vic New Voices and The Wardrobe Ensemble‘s 1972: The Future Of Sex – or check out an operatic revival from Pop Up Opera.

Wilderness, August 4-7

GREEN MAN

Wilderness minus the spa, plus Latitude minus the theatre, and you’ve found yourself at Green Man. It’s Wales’ romping and ingenious mid-summer blowout. The angle here is really science and discovery, but the scenery is pretty as a picture so that’s art in itself, right? There’s plenty of spoken word (plus we love Green Man to the moon and back, so we’re including it here).

A couple of ciders down from Green Man’s Courtyard (full of artisan beers and ciders) and you’ll find yourself stood on a chair in Babbling Tongues, arguing with journalists, authors and guest speakers about the purpose of life, and all manner of buoyant chatter about the state of the Arts today.

Explore the dramatic landscape of the festival, until you find Einstein’s Garden. It’s a hands-on place of creative discovery for adults and children, with sciencey talks and demonstrations about just about everything, with live taxidermy classes and wildlife walks – the area is strung together by artist installations. Shift from day to night with an informal country dance lesson on the lawn and don’t miss an up-close gawp at the Green Man himself – a wondrous piece of craftsmanship.

The discovery work in Einstein’s Garden is supported by The Wellcome Trust – Green Man, August 18-21