Wolverhampton Grand Theatre & More to Celebrate Artsfest

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has teamed with the University of Wolverhampton, the Arena Theatre and other arts organisations within the city to celebrate Artsfest - a festival of arts and culture within Wolverhampton and surrounding areas from Monday 2 May - Friday 24 June 2016.

Artsfest is a multi-disciplinary festival; programming work from across the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Arts, alongside professional work housed in 20 different venues across the city of Wolverhampton, Walsall and Stafford. Artsfest 2016 spans seven weeks and sees over 100 events in the fields of Performing Arts, Poetry and Literature, Film and Media and Art and Design.

As a key partner to Artsfest, the Grand Theatre contributes a variety of productions, striving to offer entertainment for all ages and extra activities designed to engage local interest in the city's flourishing arts scene.

On Thursday 5 May at 1pm, the public can enjoy a taste of life backstage at the Grand Theatre learning about over 120 years of colourful history, including the chance to see behind the scenes. The tour will also be BSL interpreted and costs just £10 per person including tea, coffee and biscuits. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01902 42 92 12.

Musicals include PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT - THE MUSICAL starring Blue's Duncan James which will begin on the opening day of Artsfest - Monday 2 May and will run until Saturday 7 May. West Bromwich Operatic Society's production of MADE IN DAGENHAM will see local talent on a professional stage from 24 - 28 May and Richard O'Brien's ROCKY HORROR SHOW will run from Monday 13 - Saturday 18 June.

Opera includes English Touring Opera's IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE which will be performed on Monday 9 May and DON GIOVANNI on Tuesday 10 May. There is a free pre-show talk an hour before the performance of DON GIOVANNI - tickets must be reserved in advance by calling the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01902 42 92 12.

Comedy from Joe Lycett and Aisling Bea amongst others will guarantee a great night at the HILARITY CHARITY GALA on Monday 6 June. This event will see funds raised going to Central Youth Theatre.

Dance offerings include Northern Ballet's JANE EYRE - a world premiere tour from Friday 10 - Saturday 11 June and for children, HARE & THE TORTOISE is performed on Saturday 11 June. Also for the children is an adaptation of PINOCCHIO by StarDam Productions on Wednesday 1 June.

Artsfest Co-Ordinator Fran Richards said: "Artsfest is a wonderful opportunity to not only see the city's students work being showcased alongside professional work, but also a time for the cultural venues across the region to join together under the Artsfest banner, and truly celebrate what Black Country has to offer."

Sales & Marketing Manager for the Grand Theatre, Scott Bird said: "Artsfest is the perfect opportunity to remind people what a great city Wolverhampton is - with its growing arts scene just one of many reasons to visit this year. At the Grand Theatre we always strive to offer a diverse programme with entertainment for all ages and interests and this is echoed in the aims of Artsfest. Artsfest extends upon and celebrates all of the fantastic work that arts organisations are doing year-round and puts the city of Wolverhampton well and truly in the spotlight."

Other highlights include ZIMBE! - an African Jazz fusion involving over 150 performers from local choirs at Lichfield Cathedral on Wednesday 18 May. THE VERY MAGIC FLUTE on Friday 27 May is a family friendly new musical that includes puppetry and is fully sign-language interpreted at the Arena Theatre. A full list of events can be found in the brochure available in participating venues or online at wlv.ac.uk/artsfest.

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