King's Lynn Festival line-up announced

King’s Lynn Festival 2021 will burst into life with an exciting concert by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at St Nicholas’ Chapel on July 18.

The 70th festival, due to have been staged last July, had to be cancelled because of the Covid pandemic, but the best traditions of the festival can be enjoyed again on July 18-31.

“This year’s programme will not be an intense as usual but there will be no diminution of the festival’s traditional high quality”, said festival chairman Alison Croose. “All events will be delivered according to government restrictions and advice at the time.”

Many events will be staged in the town’s three spacious and airy churches – the Minster, St Nicholas’ Chapel and All Saints Church - where, it is hoped, audiences will feel comfortable.

The Corn Exchange will not be available for concerts as it continues its role as a vaccination centre, but some events will be in St George’s Guildhall, the venue at the heart of the festival.

One of the highlights will be the annual Ruth Lady Fermoy memorial concert on July 20 commemorate the festival’s founder. It will be a piano recital by Russian-born Yevgeny Sudbin who has been hailed as potentially one of the greatest pianists of the century.

Early Music Day on July 24 will feature a concert by The Bach Players in St Nicholas’ Chapel where the programme will include Brandenburg Concerto No 5, and canons from the Goldberg Variations.

The same day Ben Horden will give a morning organ recital at the chapel. His programme will be based on two recitals given in Sandringham Church during the first Lynn Festival.

Classical guitarist Craig Ogden returns to the festival, this time with classical accordian player Milos on July 27.

There will be five hour-long lunchtime concerts featuring rising stars of the classical music world, starting at midday at the Minster on July 26-30.

West Acre Theatre will be the setting for a Sunday afternoon concert on July 25 by wind quintet Magnard Ensemble.

Recorder quintet, Fontanella, who entertain audiences of all ages, will be at All Saints Church on July 23. A week later, at the same venue, Alis Huws will demonstrate the skills which led to her being the current official harpist to the Prince of Wales.

King’s Lynn Festival had a very welcome birthday present last year when it was due to stage the 70th festival – until celebrations were halted by the Covid pandemic.

But the nationally renowned event can now display its new branding generously created by London-based international brand agency, Design Bridge.

The highly respected organisation learned of the festival’s milestone through a contact on the festival board and offered to create a fresh new look.

“We are delighted with the re-branding so generously provided by Design Bridge,” said chairman Alison Croose. “It would have featured prominently in last year’s brochure but sadly we had to abandon our plans just as the brochure was about to be printed.

“Now it is great to see it on all 2021 publicity, especially our new-look brochure edited by marketing manager Claire Bowdler,” Mrs Croose said.

The two-week 2021 Lynn festival will be staged on July 18-31. Brochures will be available next week at Lynn Corn Exchange and other West Norfolk venues. The box office at the Corn Exchange will open for public booking on Monday June 14 on 01553-764864.