ANOTHER FINE FESTIVAL
Last updated: 14th of Sept, 2008
It happened, we survived, Clacton didn't burn down, Stedman from Five Star turned up, Gerry Turvey bent us into strange shapes, dulcimers were hammered, the man who shouted at us in the hotel lobby for being too loud shut up and went away, a giant badger fell into a drum kit, the belly dancers caught their train, and tremendous fun was had by all. From a Russian folk tale told with puppets, through wild cabaret and the physiology of bees, to the closest ever cake competition. It was as if someone had grabbed a rhubarb crumble, sprinkled it with acorns and thrown it at the wall of a hair clinic. That's EXACTLY what it was like.
That was our opening act, the extraordinary puppeteer Drew Colby from the Objects Dart Theatre Company, who whisked us away in in umbrella in the company of some old spoons and a cake net. "Yo-oh, heave ho!" we sang, and the weekend had begun.
CALLING ALL ACTS!
Last updated: 1st of June, 2008
The time has come, the walrus said, to talk about you getting up on stage and performing at this year's Clacton Festival. If you were at the Princes Theatre on Monday night you'll have seen top comedian and TV star, Jimmy Carr, the man they call "Il Duce" (or was that Mussolini?) talk about the Clacton Festival, and put out the request for acts. And that means you. Yes you. Particularly you. Whatever it is you think you'd like to do: read us a haiku or do some shadow puppetry or enter our photography competition, the Clacton Festival is waiting for you.
That was Jimmy at the last Clacton Festival, winning the Battenberg Cup for his Battenberg cake. Did we mention there's a cake competition on the Sunday? Well there is. So if you'd like to share the joy and climb bravely up onto our small and very unthreatening stage at the Comfort hotel on the 19th or 20th of July, in front of a very warm and encouraging audience, then get in touch this very second. The best way is via email: info@clactonfestival.com. Or you can phone us on 07960776813. Or leave a message under a pebble near the fourth pier leg on the left, and we will find it.
WE HAVE A DATE
Last updated: 2nd of May, 2008
Finally, the dates for the 2008 Clacton Festival have been set in stone, and then embossed with platinum and mother of pearl, so whatever you'd like to do on stage, we'd like you to do it on July 19th & 20th in the back rooms of the Comfort Hotel. Another weekend-long dose of arts, crafts, drama, poetry, puppetry, music and cakes. And on top of all that, this year we're planning to feature hooping for the first And we hope to bring back the Regatta, last held in 2005. If you'd like to take part or help out in any way at all, please drop us a line here: info@clactonfestival.com
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MR JIMMY CARR
Last updated: 1st of May, 2008
Top comic, cake baker, and host of Channel 4's '8 Out Of 10 Cats', Jimmy Carr, is playing the Prince Theatre, Clacton, as part of the run up to this year's Clacton Festival. Carr is the proud holder of the inaugural Battenberg Cup (2006), but is unfortunately unable to defend his title this year, so he will retire undefeated. The show is sold out, but entries to the Battenberg Cup (Sunday, July 20th) are most welcome.