Holt Festival Announces New Artistic Director For 10th Anniversary

A leading east of England arts festival has announced its new Artistic Director.

Stash Kirkbride will be the new 'front man' of the Holt Festival, taking over from Charles Pugh who has held the role for the last three years. As co-founder of Norwich's Hostry Festival and the Norfolk Arts Awards, Stash is a well known figure in the arts world and is now bringing his skill and expertise to Holt.

Stash commented 'I've admired Holt Festival since it began 9 years ago, so when I was invited to program their celebration year I was instantly intrigued and interested. Programming a 10th year is the kind of creative challenge that appeals to me. I attended the 2017 Festival and was given the warmest of welcomes by the Festival team. I'd like to express my thanks to everyone in that remarkably efficient and professional team, from the trust and board members right through to the volunteers who make it all possible'.

'After attending four or five events a day for just over a week I couldn't wait to start programming the tenth anniversary year.'

Adney Payne, Chair of the Festival Board said 'It's always hard to fill the space left by someone like Charles who had three very successful years here. We are delighted that Stash has been able to step in and fill that considerable gap'.

It is often claimed that if a festival can break the ten-year barrier it has become truly established and has 'arrived'. So no pressure then? 'No, actually' continued Stash. 'It is obviously getting the mixture of programming right that matters, and I hope that when we announce the first highlights in February, and the full programme in April, that I will have managed to do just that. It will be a mix of big international names and others from near and far that are new to Norfolk audiences but who could become future favourites, alongside the pick of Norfolk talent, many of whom are now making their names around the country and beyond.'

Stash will bring a wealth of experience to the role. He has a background steeped in the arts with parents and a grandparent involved in professional theatre. He spent 20 years as a professional actor/producer in London, appearing in West End and touring productions before returning to his home county of Norfolk in 2006. Since then he has worked principally as a freelance producer and director as well as spending time as joint Creative Director of Norwich's Maddermarket Theatre. He founded and is Artistic Director of the Hostry Festival with long term creative partner Peter Barrow, and founded the Norfolk Arts Awards with Peter Beck in 2012.

The award-winning Holt Festival has become established as one of the East of England's most anticipated events. In the summer months the charming North Norfolk Georgian country town is a magnet for tourists. During Festival week, briefly and dazzlingly, it also becomes home to international musicians, poets, actors, dancers, children's entertainers, artists and comedians with performances in venues all over the town including the magnificent open-air Theatre in the Woods. The Festival is a big draw for cultural tourism, bringing people into the region from around the country. It also gives visitors and residents alike the opportunity to see exclusively curated visual arts exhibitions featuring works by famous artists, many never previously seen in the county, alongside the widely renowned Sir John Hurt Art Prize.

The 2018 Festival runs from 21-29 July. New Artistic Director Stash Kirkbride will reveal the first highlights at the end of February with the full programme announcement set for late April.

Past festivals have included the likes of Michael Palin, Suzi Quatro, Melvyn Bragg, The Stranglers, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Michael Buerke, Dr John Cooper Clarke, Joanna Trollope, Kate Adie, Jennie Éclair, Sir John Hurt and Julie Christie.

www.holtfestival.org

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