| 65th Anniversary 1946 -2011 |
The Stroud Arts Festival, funded by the Margaret & Netlam Bigg Trust, started in 1946 and was one of the first festivals in the country. Netlam Bigg, who died in 1988 was awarded the MBE in 1968 as the founder and secretary of what was then called the Stroud Festival of Religious Drama and the Arts. In those days the festival was internationally known for its unique contribution to the arts. The Trust hosted a poetry contest which regularly drew more than 900 entries from 35 countries in the mid 60’s along with a wide range of nationally and locally inspired Art events. The Arts Festival continues to bring to Stroud a wide range of events including jazz, ballet, art exhibitions, poetry readings and film shows. Visit our reviews page to read about the June 2011 Festival. We are assembling another great season of events for Autumn 2011 around the theme of Beaty & the Beast. The programme includes the return of the ever popular Independent Ballet Wales; 'La Belle et la Bête', Jean Cocteau's iconic film; a poetry slam and an exhibition by local artists. We will update this page with details of the programme on a regular basis so please check back. |
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Stroud Arts Festival presents Ballet Cymru's production of Beauty and the Beast. Wednesday 30th November 2011 - 7.30pm Formerly Independent Ballet Wales, Ballet Cymru bring to life this timeless story using the company’s unique blend of classical technique and storytelling. Featuring stunning costumes, breathtaking choreography and heartbreaking passion, this production is the most thrilling and entertaining dance event of the year. Visit Ballet Cymru's website |
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EXHIBITION OF ART BY LOCAL ARTISTS on the theme of 'Beauty and the Beast' Lansdown Gallery, Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BN On Friday 25th. November from 6pm to 9pm there is a special opening event. This will include a performance by Soozy Roberts. See below. |
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SOOZY ROBERTS - PERFORMANCE ARTIST Soozy will be performing a special piece at the opening of the 'Beauty and the Beast' Exhibition Lansdown Gallery, Lansdown, Stroud, GL5 1BN |
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LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE (Beauty and the Beast) Jean Cocteau made this iconic film in 1946. It is regarded by critics as being variously: ‘Pure Magic’, ‘A visual Masterpiece’ and by Cocteau himself as ‘…. the true mirror reflecting the flesh and blood of my dreams." SVA (Stroud Valley Arts), 4 John Street, Stroud, Glos. GL5 2HA The plot of Cocteau's film revolves around Belle's father who is sentenced to death for picking a rose from Beast's garden. Belle offers to go back to the Beast in her father's place. Beast falls in love with her and proposes marriage on a nightly basis which she refuses. Belle eventually becomes more drawn to Beast, who tests her by letting her return home to her family telling her that if she doesn't return to him within a week, he will die of grief. |
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THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST POETRY SLAM! SVA (Stroud Valley Arts), 4 John Street, Stroud, Glos. GL5 2HA Friday 9th December. 7.30pm A head-spinning night of bardic bravado and virtuoso verse as a glamorous array of gorgeous performance poets aim to woo your hearts and hearing parts in a cut-and-thrust contest of perfect proportions. Heavenly hosts Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore keep order as random judges mark the quality of the writing, the performances and response from the applaudience. Who will score a beauty and become Stroud’s super model Slammer? Whose poetry will be too beastly? The first round is on the theme of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ – after that, anything goes… For further information, or to enter the slam, please contact Marcus on 01285 640470 or email john.marcus.moore@gmail.com |
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The Festival Grand Finale MOCKERS, BEAUTY and the BEAT SVA (Stroud Valley Arts), 4 John Street, Stroud, Glos. GL5 2HA Saturday 10th December. 9-3am. Tickets on the door £5 Come dressed for the occasion!. Dress code: Shades. Have you ever noticed the world behind a pair of dark sunglasses? Everything is the same yet everything is different. It will be wild! |
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