Performances Planned for Artists & Makers Festival

From Jimmy Cauty’s Blacksmoke Organisation to Rainbow Shakespeare, there’s much more to the Artists & Makers Festival than just pictures on walls.

Rainbow Shakespeare return with open air performances in the beautiful setting of Highdown Gardens. This year, the company present Antony & Cleopatra (11^th – 16^th July) and Much Ado About Nothing (18^th-23^rd July). Rainbow Shakespeare was founded in 1996, with performances on Worthing beach – and Artists & Makers Festival director Dan Thompson was the company’s original production manager! Since that first performance of Twelfth Night, the company have built a reputation for intelligent and enjoyable productions, and have taken their work to Greenwich Observatory and the Glastonbury Festival. Tickets can be booked on 01903 206206.

There will be a performance element to COURAGE, an exhibition which showcases film and video, new media art and installations. Artists include Nathan Bean, Mark Gaynor, Dave Gorman and Ingrid Plum. There will also be a showing of DLR, a film by Gimpo Technologies and the Blacksmoke Organisation, a multi-media collective formed by ex-KLF member Jimmy Cauty. COURAGE takes place from 7 – 9pm on Friday 14^th July, when there will be music and other performances. The event is also open from 10am – 5pm on Saturday 15^th July.

A new theatre company will also stage their debut performance during the festival. Buzz Theatre has brought together an experienced team of professionals, led by Martin Harris who has previously run Worthing’s Connaught, Chichester Festival Theatre and the Brighton Festival. The company plan to debut a new piece by Suzanne Heathcote, who has appeared as an actor at the Royal National Theatre and has been taking part in the Royal Court Young Writers Programme. Performances are planned for the 14^th – 16^th July. There will also be workshops in writing for the stage, led by Martin Harris; for more information, contact 01903 709471.

Finally, even the Embroiderers Guild are presenting more than just stitches this year – with a Worthing premier of French Film ‘A Common Thread’. The film won accolades at the Cannes Film Festival, and was spotted by local embroiderer Eileen Blaney - who persuaded Worthing Theatres to hold a showing to tie in with the South East Embroiderers Guild Centenary Celebrations, which take place as part of the Artists & Makers Festival. ‘A Common Thread’ shows on Thursday 13^th July, at the Connaught Screen Two, Worthing. Tickets are available from the box office on 01903 206206.

The Artists & Makers Festival also includes a wide range of visual arts events, including the popular open houses, studios and gardens across Worthing and Horsham District. A full guide will be available in early June.