Revealed: This year’s full programme line-up for Holt Festival 2017

Holt festivals artistic director, Charles Pugh. Picture by Rodney Smith (Image: Copyright: Rodney Smith)

Now in its ninth year, the festival brings theatre, music, comedy, literature, children's and visual art events to the picturesque Georgian town for eight days, from July 22 to 30.

This year's festival is the final year of Charles Pugh's tenure as artistic director.

He said: 'I'm so proud of this programme. I think, perhaps the most diverse we've yet delivered.'

Chair of the board of trustees, Adney Payne, thanked the people and organisations who helped to bring this year's festival together.

He said: 'I'd like to pay a special tribute to [Charles Pugh] as he completes his third and sadly final year as our artistic director.'

- Tickets for the new shows are on sale from May 2 to members of the Holt Festival Friends Scheme. General booking opens on May 15 via 01603 598699. For more details visit www.holtfestival.org.

Holt Festival 2017 Full listings.

Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 July 11am to 5pm FREE

BENTON END & FRIENDS (exhibition)

Original paintings and sculpture telling the story of Cedric Morris and Lett Haines, their houses The Pound and Benton End and their informal art school on the Suffolk/Essex borders. Includes works by Cedric Morris and Lett Haines, Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Lucian Freud, Maggi Hambling and John Nash.

Holt Festival at The Meeting Room, St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 July 11am to 5pm FREE

THE INSTINCTIVE ARTIST – EDWARD SEAGO (exhibition)

Work by Norwich School artist Edward Seago best known for landscapes and portraits. Born in Norwich, self taught Seago received international acclaim and had admirers including the Royal Family and the Aga Khan.

Holt Festival at The Garden House Studio, Station Road, Holt NR25 6BS

Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 July 11am to 5pm FREE

ART TRAIL (exhibition)

Discover an eclectic variety of historic, modern and contemporary art and photography at Holt's many art galleries.

Holt Festival at various galleries around Holt town centre

Sunday 23 – Sunday 30 July 11am to 5pm FREE

SIR JOHN HURT ART PRIZE EXHIBITION (exhibition)

The winner and all the shortlisted entries from this prestigious art prize. The winner receives £1,500 and will be shown at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre Foyer, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Sunday 23 July 8.15pm £20/£5

THE GIN CHRONICLES (comedy/theatre)

Join The Misfits of London for the first adventure in their 5-star reviewed vintage comedy series as detectives search for missing gin magnate Cornelius Juniper.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Monday 24 – Saturday 29 July 10am for under 7s FREE

CHILDREN'S STORYTELLING with AMY FINEGAN (children's)

Songs, stories and games for under 7s.

Holt Festival at The Holt Book Shop, 10 Appleyard Holt NR25 6AR

Monday 24 July 11.00am ages 3-8 FREE

STORYTELLING WITH MUSIC by PAUL JACKSON (children's)

Songs and tall tales from round the world blended with appropriate musical accompaniment.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Monday 24 July 2pm £15/£5

ROBERT McCRUM: Life, Death and the Endgame (talk)

Former Literary and Associate Editor of The Observer, BBC Radio Four broadcaster and distinguished veteran of the British book world discusses matters of life, death and literature. In conversation with Festival Artistic Director Charles Pugh.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Monday 24 July 4pm £12/£5

TIM MARSHALL – WORTH DYING FOR & PRISONERS OF GEOGRAPHY (talk)

Drawing on more than twenty-five years of global reporting experience Tim Marshall shares his insights on the

world of global politics as set out in his two latest books: Prisoners of Geography and Worth Dying For.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Monday 24 July 6pm £20/£5

MARIANO MANGAS (music)

One of the finest exponents of classical Spanish guitar in the world returns to Holt after his sell out performance in 2015.

Holt Festival at St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Monday 24 July 8.15pm £20/£5

TANYA HOLT – CAUTIONARY TALES FOR DAUGHTERS (theatre)

A hugely acclaimed journey through comedy, song and animation to the dark heart of growing up and the dark arts of parenting.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Tuesday 25 July 11am Ages 4+ FREE

TINDERBOX by NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE (children's)

Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale about a roguish soldier who acquires a magic tinderbox which gives him the power to summon three extraordinary dogs to do his bidding.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Tuesday 25 July 11am FREE

GALLERY TALK Edward Seago (talk/exhibition)

James Glennie talks about the Norwich born artist.

Holt Festival at The Garden House Studio, Station Road, Holt NR25 6BS

Tuesday 25 July 2pm £15/£5

PROFESSOR ROBERT WINSTON - Modifying Humans: When Does Genetics Stop? (talk)

Doctor, scientist, TV and radio presenter, politician and IVF pioneer discusses our obsession with our genes. Very soon we may be able to enhance humans by genetic modification. Will ethical considerations prevent us from the next step – manufacturing stronger, more gifted and very intelligent children?

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Tuesday 25 July 4pm £12/£5

DON'T MIME ME (theatre/mime)

World Premiere of mime show about a theatre handyman pursuing his destiny around the world. A hat stand, a downtrodden housewife and a few countries are just three of the obstacles that prevent him finding his soul mate. Work in progress

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Tuesday 25 July 7pm £20/£5

VIVA CUBA (music & dance)

A joyous Cuban Combination of some of the biggest UK artistic talents in the genre. Musicians and dancers offer a wide musical variety of latin styles from danzon and traditional Cuban son to salsa and merengue styles, blending in dance heavy funk and R&B fusion along the way.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Wednesday 26 July 11am FREE

GALLERY TALK Benton End and Friends (talk/exhibition)

James Glennie talks about the artists in the festival loan exhibition Benton End and Friends.

Holt Festival at The Meeting Room, St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Wednesday 26 July 4.15pm FREE

GALLERY TALK Maggi Hambling in Conversation (talk/exhibition)

Holt Festival at The Meeting Room, St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Wednesday 26 July 9.30am (ages 4-8) and 11am (ages 9-16)

CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOPS with FOOLHARDY CIRCUS (children's)

Hours of entertainment and fun with the infamous foolhardy circus troupe teaching circus skills including juggling, diabolo, devilstick, unicycling, and even a low standing tightrope.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Wednesday 26 July 2pm £15/£5

LUKE WRIGHT – THE TOLL (poetry/spoken word)

Stunning new show from the latest collection from one of Britain's most popular poets that finds him at the peak of his powers. These poems explore the flat-roofed pubs and half-bought couches of Brexit Britain and the toll it takes on us all.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Wednesday 26 July 4pm £12/£5

THE WITCHES OF NORFOLK with PROFESSOR MICHAEL TRIMBLE (talk)

Witches were identified in abundance in Norfolk in the 17th century. Professor Michael Trimble, author and an Emeritus Professor of Behavioural Neurology, identifies key people, illnesses and trials in this saga of religion, misogyny, masochism and the emergence of neuropsychiatry.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Wednesday 26 July 6pm £20/£5

JALOUSIE – AN OPERA GALA by Javier Agulló & Ampara Navarro (music/opera)

A rare visit from Spanish opera stars Javier Agulló (tenor) & Amparo Navarro (soprano) who will perform a story of operatic passion with arias and duets from Monteverdi and Mozart to Verdi and Puccini.

Holt Festival at St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Wednesday 26 July 8.15pm £20/£5

CIRQUE DU CABARET (circus/burlesque/cabaret)

A brand new show from London's longest running cabaret company with thrills, chills and a dollop of sauce. Mz Marelena (AKA Abi Collins) returns as host and new cast members include 1920's burlesque starlet Bonnie Fox and spectacular circus skills from international stars from as far afield as Russia.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Thursday 27 July 10am-4pm, ages 8-16 FREE

MUSICAL IN A DAY with SHERINGHAM LITTLE THEATRE (children's)

A musical theatre workshop for young people to create and rehearse an original piece of theatre with popular musical songs and dance routines.

Performance at 3.30pm for family and friends.

Holt Festival at Gresham's Pre-Prep School, Market Place, Holt NR25 6BB

Thursday 27 July 11am FREE

GALLERY TALK Cedric Morris – Gardner, Plantsman and Iris Breeder (talk/exhibition)

By Sarah Morris

Holt Festival at The Meeting Room, St Andrew's Church, Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB

Thursday 27 July 6pm, £12/£5

SUZIE HEATH TRIO presents: King Cole – a musical tribute to the 1930s (music)

Vocalist and pianist Suzie brings her trio to Holt to celebrate the unforgettable and poignant songs of Cole Porter and his contemporaries. She is joined by harmony group The Samphires.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Thursday 27 July 8pm £16/£5

STAND UP COMEDY CLUB (comedy)

The best of contemporary comedy with double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Andrew Maxwell, Eshaan Akbar, musical comedian Kate Lucas and TV regular David Morgan as compere.

Holt Festival at The Feathers Hotel, Market Place, Holt NR25 6BW

Thursday 27 July 8.15pm £20/£5

HUMPHREY BERNEY AND GUESTS (music/opera)

Million selling, Brit Award winning, Humphrey Berney goes on temporary leave from Blake for an evening of songs and virtuosic piano featuring mezzo soprano Charlotte Tetley and pianist James Sherlock, themselves both major award winners.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Friday 28 July from 10.30am FREE

HOLT FESTIVAL GOES OUTDOOR (music/children's/family)

Entertainment for all throughout the day featuring music from the Cromer & Sheringham Brass Band, Hoofbeat Street Band, Rhubarb Theatre's mime performance Three Suitcases and magic from Robert Rathbone.

Holt Festival at Fish Hill, Holt NR25 6BD

Friday 28 July 11am Ages 5y+

GRANNY'S GAME by RHUBARB THEATRE (children's)

John and Julia discover a mysterious game at Gran's house and embark on a globetrotting adventure, wrestling snakes and climbing ladders. Based on the real-life heroism of journalist and explorer Nellie Bly.

Holt Festival at The Feathers Hotel, Market Place, Holt NR25 6BW

Friday 28 July 2pm £20/£5

RONNIE SCOTT'S ALL STARS SOHO SONGBOOK (music/jazz)

A unique afternoon celebrating the unique world of London's world-famous jazz club and its incredible history, combining world-class live jazz, narration and rare archive images. The programme will include music from the many greats that have performed at Ronnie Scott's such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Dave Brubeck.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Friday 28 July 4pm £12/£5

MARGARET HODGE: IN CONVERSATION WITH PETER WILSON (literary talk)

The former MP and scourge of waste and inefficiency to successive governments discusses her book Called To Account that takes people on a fascinating journey inside the NHS, the BBC and defence, as well as tax avoidance from the likes of Amazon, Starbucks and G4S.

Holt Festival at Holt Community Centre, Kerridge Way, Holt NR25 6DN

Friday 28 July 6pm £20/£5

KIT & MCCONNEL (music/cabaret)

Norfolk-based duo Kit & McConnel return to their favourite festival for a riotous evening of freshly-minted, up-to-the-minute cabaret songs, musical improvisation and all-round silliness.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Friday 28 July 8pm £15/£5

ROOTS IN THE WOOD: The Vagaband & The Wangford Bass Combo Featuring BJ Cole (music/americana)

Americana, country and folk/rock featuring Norfolk's finest exponents of original roots music, and Hank Wangford's boombastic experimental country experience featuring pedal steel maestro Cole.

Holt Festival at Theatre in the Woods, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Saturday 29 July 6pm £18/35

SUE MACGREGOR CBE IN CONVERSATION WITH ALAN JOHNSON MP (talk)

Renowned broadcaster Sue MacGregor reflects on 50 years of broadcasting including tensions between politicians and the media as she is interviewed by Alan Johnson MP.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Saturday 29 July 6pm £18/£5

POP UP OPERA: UNE EDUCATION MANQUÉE (music/opera)

Innovative touring company performing Emmanuel Chabrier's deliciously madcap and witty Une Éducation Manquée - a rarely seen tale of two very young and very innocent aristocrats striving to solve the puzzles of an unfulfilled marriage in the time of Louis XVI.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Saturday 29 July 8.15pm £35/£5

SUZI QUATRO (music)

Still rocking the leather jumpsuit and celebrating a career that spans over 50 years and 101 weeks in the UK charts. Suzy comes with her full 7-piece band for a set that promises to set the (Theatre in the) Woods on fire!

Holt Festival at Theatre in the Woods, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Sunday 30 July 6pm £15/£5

RUBBER RING: JAMES MCDERMOTT (theatre)

Jimmy is sixteen, sexually confused and stuck in Sheringham. When pop star Morrissey visits London he flees to the city to find his hero and himself. A laugh-out-loud one man play about a Norfolk boy's struggle with his sexuality and regional identity, that has had rave reviews in London and Brighton.

Holt Festival at the Auden Theatre, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA

Sunday 30 July 7.30pm £30/£5

JASPER CARROTT'S STAND UP AND ROCK (comedy/music)

A unique show that sees the legendary comedian perform his new stand up show before introducing his musical compatriots - an all star band featuring ELO and The Move's Bev Bevan that have been 'rockin' audiences all over the world.

Holt Festival at Theatre in the Woods, Cromer Road, Holt NR25 6EA